Montoya on Hamilton at Ferrari: “He didn’t expect that against Leclerc”

Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc has ended his dry spell; after 37 Grands Prix without a win, he finally claimed another World Championship victory at Silverstone in 2026 – his first since Austin in 2024.

Colombian-born American Juan Pablo Montoya (50) watched the action at Silverstone and writes on the NewBettingSites website: “I thought it was brilliant to see Charles perform like that. He’s finally got the hang of it again. All the drivers spend countless hours analysing things and trying to work out how they can improve with these 2026 cars. Charles has finally realised what he needs to do.”

Montoya, who has competed in 94 Grand Prix races, continues: “And when you beat someone like Lewis at his home race – especially given the form Lewis has been showing of late – that sends out a very strong message. Lewis probably wasn’t expecting that.”

The seven-time Grand Prix winner and third-placed driver in the World Championship in 2002 and 2003 believes: “Through tireless work behind the scenes, Charles Leclerc has worked out where his problems lay and what the car was doing wrong for his driving style. There are so many things that can go wrong, so many issues that have an impact. And if one of these things goes out of sync, it can cause a whole host of different problems and trigger a real witch-hunt to find the cause.”

“I was really concerned in the races leading up to the British Grand Prix that Charles was too fixated on what Lewis was doing. And if you focus on Lewis, it’s very difficult to beat him, as he has the advantage.”

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“This victory will do wonders for Charles Leclerc’s confidence. He has finally shown why Ferrari think so highly of him and why they gave him an early contract extension.”