The battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is rapidly becoming one of the most fascinating storylines of Ferrari’s 2026 Formula 1 campaign. While Lewis Hamilton enjoyed his strongest weekend yet in red at the Canadian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc endured a frustrating event that left the Monegasque driver openly disappointed with his overall performance.
Despite the contrasting fortunes in Montreal, former Haas team principal Günther Steiner believes it would be a mistake to draw long-term conclusions from a single difficult weekend for Charles Leclerc. The experienced F1 figure remains convinced that Ferrari’s established star has both the pace and consistency required to finish ahead of Lewis Hamilton over the course of the season.
As Ferrari continues its pursuit of McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull in the constructors’ championship, the internal battle between the Briton and the Monegasque is expected to play a major role in shaping the team’s fortunes throughout the remainder of the year.
Lewis Hamilton gains ground after strong Canadian GP
The Canadian Grand Prix marked an important step forward for Lewis Hamilton in his adaptation to life at Ferrari. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion secured his strongest result since joining the Scuderia, demonstrating encouraging pace throughout the weekend and appearing increasingly comfortable with the SF-26.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc faced a far more complicated race weekend. A combination of setbacks prevented him from maximizing his potential, and although he still managed to finish in fourth position, the result did little to hide his frustration.
The points standings now reflect just how close the Ferrari team-mates have become. Charles Leclerc currently occupies third place in the drivers’ championship with 75 points, while Lewis Hamilton sits only three points behind on 72.
That narrow margin is a significant contrast compared to previous seasons. In 2025, Charles Leclerc comfortably finished ahead of his Ferrari team-mate, ending the campaign fifth in the championship and establishing himself as the clear benchmark within the Maranello squad.
However, Lewis Hamilton’s growing confidence has fueled speculation that the balance of power inside Ferrari could gradually begin to shift as the season progresses.
Günther Steiner refuses to overreact to one difficult weekend
Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Günther Steiner was asked whether Lewis Hamilton’s recent performances suggested that he could ultimately emerge ahead of Charles Leclerc in the championship standings.
The former Haas boss dismissed the idea that the Canadian Grand Prix should be viewed as a turning point in the rivalry. Instead, Günther Steiner argued that Charles Leclerc’s struggles in Montreal were an exception rather than a reflection of his true level.
According to Günther Steiner, Charles Leclerc himself acknowledged that the weekend ranked among the most disappointing of his career. For that reason, the Italian believes it would be unfair to use the Canadian Grand Prix as a benchmark for predicting the remainder of the season.
Günther Steiner suggested that Charles Leclerc would quickly return to the form that has made him one of Formula 1’s most highly rated drivers. He emphasized that while Lewis Hamilton deserved recognition for a strong performance, one successful weekend was not enough to conclude that the balance between the Ferrari team-mates had permanently changed.
Why Charles Leclerc remains Ferrari’s benchmark
Although Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation process appears to be accelerating, the Monegasque continues to be viewed by many paddock observers as Ferrari’s reference point. Since joining the Scuderia, the Monegasque driver has consistently demonstrated exceptional qualifying speed, race pace and an ability to extract maximum performance from difficult cars.
His familiarity with Ferrari’s systems, engineering structure and development direction remains a significant advantage. Even as Lewis Hamilton becomes increasingly integrated within the team, Charles Leclerc benefits from years of experience working alongside the same group of engineers and technicians.
That continuity could prove crucial as Ferrari introduces upgrades and attempts to close the gap to the teams currently setting the pace at the front of the grid.
A Ferrari rivalry that could define the season
While Günther Steiner remains confident that the 28-year-old will eventually finish ahead, there is no doubt that Lewis Hamilton is beginning to apply genuine pressure inside the Scuderia. After a challenging start to his Ferrari career, the British driver appears to be building momentum at exactly the right moment.
For Ferrari, having two drivers operating at a high level could become one of its biggest strengths. Rather than creating internal tension, the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc may help push the team forward as both drivers seek to establish themselves as the leading figure within the Maranello squad.
With the championship entering a crucial phase and only a handful of points separating the two Ferrari stars, the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc looks set to remain one of the most compelling narratives of the 2026 Formula 1 season. And while Günther Steiner is still backing Charles Leclerc to come out on top, the fight is proving far closer than many expected when the campaign began.
Leave a Reply