The Scuderia Ferrari outfit have been urged to prioritise Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc of their pursuit of the 2026 title, in line with Jacques Villeneuve.
Hamilton fired the Maranello-based crew again to victory lane with a masterfully executed drive on the Barcelona Grand Prix. The win, his first for Ferrari, got here on the again of a powerful run of podium finishes and at a time when Leclerc’s type has taken a dip.
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Leclerc endured a second consecutive DNF in as many races after struggling a power-steering subject within the closing levels of the Barcelona Grand Prix. The retirement noticed his hole to Hamilton within the Drivers’ Championship prolong to 40 factors. Hamilton, in the meantime, closed the hole to championship chief Kimi late on with what seemed to be an influence unit failure.
Lewis Hamilton on the Barcelona Grand Prix podium – Photograph: Race Footage
Lewis Hamilton on the Barcelona Grand Prix podium – Photograph: Race Footage
Reacting to Ferrari’s inside dynamics and Hamilton’s rising title prospects, Villeneuve burdened the necessity for the Italian outfit to construct across the seven-time world champion. Talking on the Sky podcast, the 1997 champion mentioned:
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“Lewis is aware of the way to win, and he is aware of what it takes. And if he will get a sniff of it, there received’t be any quarters. I feel that’s the place he could make the distinction. Mercedes proper now are usually not ready to be even ready or allowed to decide on a driver over one other. Ferrari is, as a result of Ferrari has to concentrate on Lewis if they need a small probability of successful, so the choice is straightforward to make as a result of Leclerc is sort of far again [in the championship].”
Villeneuve shouldn’t be the one F1 icon backing Hamilton to revive Ferrari to title-winning rivalry, with former Williams driver Riccardo Patrese additionally assured the seven-time champion can mount a severe problem.
Hamilton backed for eighth title
The Italian, who lately , believes a championship triumph for the Briton can’t be dominated out, significantly with a lot of the season nonetheless to run.
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Chatting with a betting platform, Patrese highlighted the boldness Hamilton is more likely to be carrying after his latest run of robust performances. The previous Williams driver in contrast Hamilton’s type to rising from a “black tunnel”, whereas stressing that his achievements deserve higher recognition.
Requested whether or not Hamilton’s resurgence might translate into a real title problem and finally an eighth world championship, Patrese refused to dismiss the likelihood. The six-time Grand Prix winner pointed to Ferrari’s regular progress throughout the opening rounds and recommended that, with loads of races remaining, Hamilton stays firmly in rivalry.
“Ferrari will enhance for certain. However so too will Mercedes. Ferrari and Mercedes will each be combating it out. I ought to say, although, that for the reason that first race, the extent of enchancment made by Ferrari has been higher than that of Mercedes. Their high quality went increased. Mercedes was already very excessive in Melbourne. We nonetheless have many races left this season. So, you by no means know. By no means say by no means. Lewis has undoubtedly bought an opportunity. He could also be 41 factors behind Kimi, however not that a lot if you concentrate on the variety of races to go,” he said.
