Ferrari’s improving form and Hamilton’s championship credentials could soon force the team to choose a clear title contender over Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari may soon be forced into a decision they never wanted to make: choosing a lead driver between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
After seven races, Leclerc sits fourth in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 81 points. While Mercedes have generally looked like the stronger package this season, a combination of reliability setbacks for the German team and steady progress from Ferrari has reopened the conversation about Ferrari’s title prospects.
A Familiar Formula 1 Dilemma Returns
The situation has revived one of Formula 1’s oldest debates: should a team begin prioritising one driver over another in pursuit of a championship?
Officially, Ferrari maintain that both drivers receive equal support and that the team’s focus remains on maximizing overall performance. At this stage of the season, that stance is likely genuine.
However, recent events have complicated matters.
Hamilton’s victory in Barcelona, combined with Antonelli’s retirement, exposed vulnerabilities within Mercedes. Suddenly, the championship battle no longer looks untouchable, encouraging rivals to consider mounting a serious challenge.
Why Hamilton Could Become Ferrari’s Main Hope
Ferrari are introducing an engine upgrade this weekend, and if it closes the gap to Mercedes, the championship fight could intensify significantly.
If that happens, Hamilton may emerge as Ferrari’s strongest title contender.
While Leclerc has often demonstrated superior one-lap pace, his 81-point deficit is substantial. In fact, the gap exceeds the total number of points the Monegasque has scored so far this season.
From a purely strategic standpoint, prioritising Hamilton would appear straightforward.
The Leclerc Factor
The reality inside Ferrari is far more complicated.
Leclerc has been part of Ferrari’s driver academy since his teenage years and has spent eight of his nine Formula 1 seasons with the Scuderia. He is widely viewed as the team’s long-term cornerstone and fan favourite.
Any decision to place the full weight of Ferrari’s championship ambitions behind Hamilton rather than Leclerc would be emotionally and politically difficult within the team.
What to Watch For
Fans should not expect immediate or dramatic team orders. There are unlikely to be situations where Leclerc is instructed to move aside for Hamilton in a battle for minor positions.
Instead, the clearest indication of Ferrari’s intentions may come through development priorities.
If Ferrari begin introducing upgrades that are initially available for only one car—and those parts consistently appear first on Hamilton’s No. 44 machine—it could signal that the team has quietly made its choice.
For now, Ferrari remain committed to both drivers. But if their performance gains continue and the title fight becomes realistic, the pressure to back one contender over the other may become impossible to ignore.