Why Leclerc is likely to tow Hamilton in Italian GP qualifying

Charles Leclerc is expecting to give Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton a tow in Italian Grand Prix qualifying, with Kimi Antonelli ready to help Formula 1 title rival George Russell at Mercedes.

Slipstreaming has always been paramount at Monza’s ‘Temple of Speed’ when it comes to single-lap performance, and this still is the case in 2026 despite F1’s new machinery’s less drastic downforce set-ups, plus active aerodynamics reducing the effect of the tow.

Back at Spa-Francorchamps, Isack Hadjar helped Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen clinch second place in qualifying after giving him a tow on the run to Blanchimon