Former Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill has stated that Ferrari must designate Lewis Hamilton as their clear number one driver to achieve championship success. Hill’s comments follow recent on-track incidents involving Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc, which have intensified debate regarding Ferrari’s driver management strategy.
The discussion gained prominence after the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, where Hamilton, starting from pole position, clashed with Leclerc on the opening lap. Both drivers ran off track at Turn 4, with Leclerc gaining a position by cutting the circuit.
Leclerc subsequently received a five-second time penalty for gaining a lasting advantage. Max Verstappen ultimately secured the race victory, while Hamilton finished second and Leclerc was classified fourth after his penalty.
Hamilton expressed significant frustration following the race, indicating that the incident cost Ferrari a potential one-two finish. He called for ‘serious talks’ within the team to prevent similar occurrences.
Leclerc acknowledged that the penalty he received was ‘deserved.’ However, Hamilton later stated he was ‘still frustrated’ and believed Leclerc races him harder than other competitors.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur addressed the tensions by holding a meeting with both drivers ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix. Vasseur reiterated that the team’s interests must take precedence and that drivers need to respect the Ferrari brand.
Vasseur conceded that Ferrari ‘failed collectively’ in Mexico by not converting their strong starting positions into a one-two finish. He emphasised that while he does not expect his drivers to be ‘best friends,’ they must act professionally.
Hill, the 1996 F1 champion, argued that Ferrari’s substantial investment in Hamilton, coupled with his status as a seven-time World Champion, necessitates a clear focus. He believes Hamilton’s eighth world title is attainable if the team provides unequivocal backing.
‘They have invested all this in Lewis, they’ve got him on board, he is a massive name in the sport,’ Hill stated. ‘If they have a competitive car next year, they could win the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship, and I can’t see how they’re going to win it if they have two drivers currently behaving the way they do.’
Hill drew parallels to the 2025 season, where McLaren’s Lando Norris secured the World Drivers’ Championship. McLaren also won the Constructors’ Championship, with teammate Oscar Piastri finishing third in the drivers’ standings after leading for a significant portion of the season.
This outcome, according to Hill, underscores the importance of a defined team hierarchy to maximise championship points. Ferrari’s 2026 Constructors’ Championship aspirations ended at the São Paulo Grand Prix, where Mercedes clinched the title.
Lewis Hamilton’s current contract with Ferrari runs through the 2026 season, with a reported base salary of $60 million per year. He confirmed in May 2026 an extension for the 2027 season, maintaining the same salary.
Charles Leclerc signed a new multi-year agreement with Ferrari in June 2026, extending his tenure until at least 2028, with options potentially taking him to 2030. His new deal reportedly includes a salary of approximately $45.6 million (€40 million) annually from 2027.
Hamilton has secured multiple podium finishes, a pole position, and his maiden Ferrari victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix during the 2026 season. He is currently fourth in the 2026 drivers’ standings, with Leclerc in fifth position.
Vasseur had previously indicated in August 2026 that team orders could be implemented if necessary to aid Ferrari’s championship fight. He stressed that the team’s priorities were clear.
The Ferrari team principal acknowledged that frustrations had accumulated between the drivers due to their consistent competitiveness and close proximity on track. However, he maintained that the existing guidelines for racing remain in place.
