The former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer and the IndyCar winner James Hinchcliffe have agreed that Ferrari should prioritize Lewis Hamilton to have real chances of challenging Mercedes this year. This statement comes after Charles Leclerc‘s victory at the British Grand Prix, where Hamilton finished in third position.
In the podcast F1 Nation, Hinchcliffe emphasized that, despite Leclerc’s excellent race, Ferrari can increase its chances of winning if it focuses on Hamilton as the main driver. “Ferrari put in a surprising performance and Leclerc did an outstanding job, but Mercedes remains the favorite,” he claimed.
Hinchcliffe argued that, despite Leclerc’s triumph, the Maranello team needs to make a strategic change to face the strength that Mercedes currently presents. “If they want to have any option, they need to choose a driver, and right now, with the points difference, that has to be Hamilton,” he pointed out.
Palmer, who has also supported the implementation of team orders, reinforced Hinchcliffe’s idea, stressing that Ferrari’s current situation, with two competitive drivers, can work in their favor if the right decisions are made. With an eye on the Belgian Grand Prix, both agreed that Mercedes still holds the advantage but that the competition is intense.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
