A former Formula 1 team principal has revealed what could prove to be a decisive advantage for Charles Leclerc over Lewis Hamilton within Ferrari, as the two drivers continue to deliver thrilling on-track battles in the early stages of the 2026 season.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have already put on an impressive show during the opening races, with overtakes and counter-overtakes providing plenty of excitement—particularly during the Chinese Grand Prix. On that occasion, Lewis Hamilton secured his first podium finish with Ferrari, crossing the line in third place ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc. The seven-time world champion, now in his second season with the Maranello-based team, appears to have developed a strong connection with the car. However, according to former Haas team principal Günther Steiner, this may still not be enough to defeat Charles Leclerc over the course of the 2026 championship.
The possible advantage
Speaking on the latest episode of the podcast The Red Flags, Günther Steiner discussed the possibility of Lewis Hamilton outperforming Charles Leclerc. Despite both drivers having access to the same machinery, Steiner believes that several factors could come into play, potentially giving the Monegasque driver a slight edge.
Answering the question, “Will Lewis Hamilton beat Charles Leclerc in the same car?”, Günther Steiner said: “I think Charles Leclerc has age on his side. It is very close, but in the end I think Charles Leclerc will beat Lewis Hamilton. If Lewis Hamilton were 10 years younger, maybe it would be different.”
However, according to Steiner, what could ultimately play an even more decisive role in this internal Ferrari battle is not just age, but hunger. He added: “Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time world champion, Charles Leclerc has zero. So he [Leclerc] is hungrier, he has more appetite.”
So far, both Ferrari drivers have claimed one podium each in the 2026 season. Charles Leclerc secured third place in Australia, while Lewis Hamilton finished third in China. In the Sprint race, both drivers also reached the podium, taking second and third positions behind George Russell.
As the season progresses, the internal battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is expected to intensify, with performance, consistency, and motivation all set to play a crucial role in determining who will come out on top within Ferrari.
The 2026 F1 campaign is therefore shaping up to be one of the most fascinating psychological battles in Ferrari’s history. While Hamilton brings the experience and the “podium-finding” instinct of a legend, Leclerc offers the explosive speed and desperate hunger of a driver chasing his first crown. Based on the content of Steiner’s analysis, the momentum may favor the younger driver as the European leg of the season approaches.
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