Ferrari urged to back Hamilton for F1 title
Maranello finds itself at a critical juncture in the 2026 Formula 1 season, with influential voices urging Scuderia Ferrari to unequivocally back Lewis Hamilton’s pursuit of the Drivers’ Championship. This decisive call comes amid fierce competition and recent strategic missteps that have fueled an intense debate over the team’s approach to securing the coveted title.
Two prominent former F1 figures, ex-Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley and former team principal Otmar Szafnauer, have publicly stated that Ferrari must rally behind Hamilton if it genuinely wants to end its lengthy title drought this year.
Strategic urgency for Ferrari urged back after Dutch Grand Prix frustration
Their interventions follow a contentious Dutch Grand Prix where Ferrari’s strategy reportedly cost the seven-time world champion a potential podium finish and vital championship points for the team.
The push to prioritise Lewis Hamilton gained significant momentum after the Dutch Grand Prix. He was left visibly frustrated, believing Ferrari’s actions — or inactions — hindered his race. Hamilton, on a different strategy and with fresher tyres, caught teammate Charles Leclerc but struggled to find a way past on the notoriously difficult Zandvoort circuit.
He was eventually released when Leclerc pitted, but the damage had already been done, prompting a sarcastic radio message from Hamilton directed at the Ferrari pit wall. The incident reignited questions about Ferrari’s internal policies and whether their pursuit of an equitable approach for both drivers is undermining their championship ambitions.
Veterans advocate for clear driver preference
Rob Smedley, who spent a decade at Ferrari from 2004 to 2014, didn’t mince words on the High Performance Racing podcast. He firmly believes Ferrari must “get behind” Lewis Hamilton for any realistic shot at the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. Smedley pointed to Hamilton’s superior performance this season, arguing he’s had the “better run” and “done the better job” compared to his teammate.
He insisted that trying to treat both drivers equally at this stage “significantly diminishes” Ferrari’s chances at the drivers’ title, especially given Mercedes’ strong performance earlier in the season. For Smedley, the team’s focus should be ruthless: maximise Hamilton’s points and steal points from the Mercedes drivers whenever possible.
Former Alpine and Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer echoed Smedley’s sentiments, highlighting Ferrari’s historic emphasis on the Drivers’ World Championship. This philosophy, he explained, stems directly from Enzo Ferrari himself. Szafnauer argued that if the drivers’ title is the objective, every team decision must support that goal, something he feels is currently lacking within the Scuderia.
Hamilton’s strong surge and championship standing
Lewis Hamilton, now 41, is enjoying a significant resurgence in form during the 2026 season, particularly since the introduction of new regulations and cars. He’s currently third in the Drivers’ Championship standings, tied on points with Mercedes’ George Russell.
However, Hamilton finds himself 59 points behind the championship leader, Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. His strong performance includes a maiden Ferrari win in Barcelona earlier this year, following consecutive second-place finishes in Montreal and Monaco. These results stand in stark contrast to his challenging 2025 season.
Contrasting fortunes between teammates
Despite Hamilton’s recent surge, Ferrari has yet to impose a clear preference between its two star drivers. Charles Leclerc, who secured a win at the British Grand Prix in 2026, currently sits fifth in the standings, 87 points adrift of Antonelli and 28 points behind Hamilton. Both drivers remain stuck on one Grand Prix win apiece this season after the Dutch Grand Prix.
Leclerc’s own multi-year contract runs until 2029 and includes a “step-up” salary structure, reportedly starting around $34 million plus bonuses. This long-term commitment complicates any immediate decision to fully back Hamilton, even as the championship picture clarifies.
Ferrari’s title drought and Vasseur’s challenge
Scuderia Ferrari hasn’t clinched a Drivers’ Championship since Kimi Räikkönen’s triumph in 2007, or a Constructors’ Championship since 2008. This prolonged drought amplifies the pressure on Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur to make difficult strategic calls. Vasseur, who assumed the role at the start of 2023, has maintained that Ferrari must maximise its overall championship position.
The team’s 2026 challenger, the SF-26, has shown flashes of pace, but consistency remains an issue against Mercedes. Vasseur attributed Ferrari’s qualifying struggles at the Dutch Grand Prix to outlap execution and marginal tactical decisions, rather than a fundamental car deficit.
Hamilton’s move and contract details
Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari, announced on February 1, 2024, after he activated a release clause in his Mercedes extension, was undoubtedly the biggest news in F1 at the time. His multi-year deal is confirmed to run through 2027, with a reported unilateral option for an extension into 2028.
His salary is substantial, with various reports placing it between $50 million and $60 million per season, plus significant bonuses.
The deal, negotiated by Ferrari president John Elkann and Vasseur, reportedly included commitments to invest in Hamilton’s Mission 44 charitable foundation. This broad-ranging agreement suggests Ferrari had long-term plans for Hamilton beyond just a single season.
Beyond the on-track strategy, Hamilton’s contract reflects a significant financial and strategic investment by Ferrari. The deal notably included commitments to invest in his Mission 44 charitable foundation.
Ferrari president John Elkann reportedly offered to create a joint-investment fund via the parent brand Exor, worth over $272 million. Hamilton would serve as an ambassador for its portfolio, underlining the broad scope of his arrangement with the Italian marque. The 2025 season saw Hamilton struggle to adapt to Ferrari, finishing sixth overall while Leclerc led the team in points.
The looming dilemma for team principal Frédéric Vasseur
The decision facing Frédéric Vasseur is not straightforward. Fully backing Hamilton could alienate Charles Leclerc, a highly valued driver with a long-term contract and significant investment from the Scuderia. But, failing to do so could jeopardize their best chance at a Drivers’ Championship in nearly two decades.
Mercedes, despite their impressive advantage earlier in 2026, has seen a dip in form, securing only two wins in the last six rounds. This creates a window of opportunity for Ferrari. The crucial question is whether Vasseur and the Ferrari leadership will be bold enough to make the pragmatic, albeit potentially unpopular, call for the ultimate prize.