Jacques Villeneuve, F1 champion of 1997, has recommended to Ferrari that it should focus all its efforts on Lewis Hamilton to have any chance of winning the 2026 title. This statement comes after the British driver achieved his first victory driving for Ferrari at the Barcelona Grand Prix, breaking a long drought of wins.
The victory in Barcelona has allowed Hamilton to gain a 40-point advantage over his teammate, Charles Leclerc, in the drivers’ standings. In statements to the Sky Sports F1 program, Villeneuve pointed out that Ferrari can support Hamilton’s bid, as opposed to what is happening at Mercedes, where drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are in a tighter competition.
Villeneuve said: “Lewis knows how to win and understands what it entails. If he has the opportunity, he won’t hold back. And this is exactly where he can make a difference.” Additionally, he argued that Ferrari’s current situation allows it to prioritize Hamilton, as Leclerc is significantly behind in points.
The Canadian referred to the fact that Leclerc has not been able to build a team around him, despite being signed with very high expectations after a mediocre season with Sauber. Villeneuve emphasized that, with Hamilton’s arrival, the dynamics have changed radically.
As Hamilton consolidated his presence, Leclerc found himself overshadowed in the team structure. Villeneuve concluded that if Ferrari wants any chance of success, it must be decisive in its choice and focus on Hamilton.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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