Lewis Hamilton says it is "far too late" for Ferrari to prioritise him over team-mate Charles Leclerc in the drivers' championship, after a difficult home Italian Grand Prix that saw him fall further behind in the title race. Hamilton started fourth but was pushed onto the grass by Leclerc on the opening lap, dropping to 10th, before Leclerc crashed heavily at the Parabolica, leaving Hamilton as Ferrari's sole podium contender. He recovered only to sixth as Mercedes claimed a one-two finish, and the incident has reignited questions about whether Ferrari should back one driver over the other.

Hamilton, who was level on points with Mercedes' George Russell before the race, is now 10 points behind him and 76 adrift of race winner and championship leader Kimi Antonelli. He said Ferrari had "lost so much ground" and that any decision on team priority now comes too late, though he insisted "it's never over until it's over". The tension follows a similar row at the Dutch Grand Prix, where Hamilton criticised Ferrari's strategy calls over team radio and later apologised. Leclerc said the first-lap clash was "way too close", while team principal Frederic Vasseur called the incident "not good" but said it was too early before Monza to impose team orders, comparing the situation to McLaren's handling of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris last season.