From Silverstone to Silverstone, the Formula 1 paddock has come full circle, making this the perfect moment to assess everything that has changed over the past 12 months. During the 2025 British Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton secured what was then his best result since joining Ferrari, finishing fourth behind Nico Hülkenberg.
That result sparked considerable criticism of the seven-time world champion, as many fans found it difficult to accept seeing the Kick Sauber driver on the podium ahead of Formula 1’s most successful driver. Given Ferrari’s huge investment to bring car number 44 to Maranello, expectations were understandably much higher.
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On home soil, Sir Lewis once again chased his first Ferrari podium while trying to extend his remarkable run of top-three finishes at Silverstone. However, the SF-25 never adapted to his driving style, leaving him unable to challenge at the front. In fact, he had to wait until the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix to finally end his podium drought.
As mentioned, though, the situation has changed dramatically over the past year, particularly for Lewis Hamilton. Not only has he claimed his first podium with the Scuderia, but he has also added another victory to his record thanks to his recent triumph in Barcelona. That progress has come through a much stronger connection with the car and a better understanding of the team, representing a significant leap forward that is clearly reflected by one particularly revealing statistic.
A revealing statistic
The numbers speak for themselves. After eight Grands Prix, Lewis Hamilton has doubled the number of championship points he had at the same stage of last season: 125 points in 2026 compared to just 63 in 2025.
That comparison also highlights the extent of Charles Leclerc’s current difficulties. The Monegasque driver arrives at Silverstone with exactly the same number of championship points he had one year ago. It is a striking statistic heading into the British Grand Prix, held at the circuit where Lewis Hamilton remains the most successful driver in history with nine victories.
Beyond the statistics, recent events on track have also underlined Charles Leclerc’s struggles. The Ferrari driver publicly blamed the Brembo brake discs before following the same technical route Lewis Hamilton first adopted at Suzuka by switching specification. So far, however, the change has brought little improvement. The Monegasque crashed during qualifying in Spain and endured another difficult weekend in Austria.
Overall, Charles Leclerc has collected just four points across the last three race weekends, leaving him with a return comparable to drivers competing in midfield machinery like Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad. It is a concerning trend for Ferrari, particularly at a time when Lewis Hamilton appears to have found increasing confidence with the SF-26 and continues to move in the opposite direction.
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