Despite boasting one of the most accomplished Formula 1 driver pairings on paper, Ferrari has seen its reputation for the “best line-up” questioned due to Lewis Hamilton’s recent difficulties, according to former F1 driver and pundit Anthony Davidson.
The Scuderia’s driver roster is undeniably impressive. Combined, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have amassed 113 Grand Prix victories – the highest total of any team on the 2026 grid. By comparison, Red Bull Racing, led solely by Max Verstappen, has collected 71 wins. Ferrari also dominates in poles and podiums, holding 131 pole positions and 252 podium finishes collectively, illustrating the immense experience and talent within the team.
However, last season exposed a significant imbalance between the Ferrari teammates. Charles Leclerc outperformed Lewis Hamilton in 44 of the 56 sessions where both drivers were classified, highlighting the British driver’s challenges with the SF-25 and raising questions about Ferrari’s dominance in the teammate battle.
Anthony Davidson highlights Hamilton’s tough spell at Ferrari
Writing for Sky Sports, Anthony Davidson listed the six strongest driver line-ups for 2026, noting that Ferrari’s perceived advantage had been undermined by Lewis Hamilton’s difficult form. He reminded readers that George Russell had comfortably outpaced Hamilton during the 2024 season, Mercedes’ final year with the British driver.
Nevertheless, Davidson observed that Lewis Hamilton appeared more at ease during the recent 2026 pre-season testing, showing early signs of adapting to the updated Ferrari machinery. He expressed optimism that the new regulations, particularly the latest ground-effect improvements, could better suit Lewis Hamilton’s driving style and allow him to extract more performance from the car.
Davidson also emphasized the extraordinary talent of Charles Leclerc, describing him as one of the fastest drivers on the grid over a single lap. Leclerc has consistently demonstrated his qualifying prowess, securing at least one pole position in each of the last five seasons, even when Ferrari’s overall performance fluctuated. Davidson highlighted Leclerc’s ability to handle cars that are tricky or unpredictable, praising his flamboyant and aggressive driving style as a spectacle in its own right.
According to Davidson, while Ferrari’s line-up may be the strongest “on paper,” Lewis Hamilton’s struggles over the past few seasons have made it harder for the team to claim that mantle outright. He suggested that the combination of the Briton and the Monegasque remains formidable but acknowledged that the challenges of previous car generations had limited their potential last year.
Ferrari’s 2026 prospects and the competition for best line-up
Davidson also placed Ferrari’s line-up within the broader context of 2026 Formula 1. McLaren, he noted, currently leads the debate over the strongest driver pairings, not solely because of recent results, but due to consistency and lack of question marks within the team. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri may not be in the absolute top three drivers on the grid, but both rank comfortably within the top six, providing McLaren with a solid foundation.
For Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton faces a critical year to prove he remains among the sport’s elite. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, must continue to extract maximum performance from the SF-26 and maintain his role as the team’s benchmark. Davidson suggested that if the Briton regains his form and Leclerc continues to shine, Ferrari could challenge McLaren for the top driver line-up title in 2026.
Davidson concluded that while Ferrari’s driver pairing has immense potential, the final assessment will depend on how Lewis Hamilton adapts to the 2026 machinery and how consistently Charles Leclerc performs across the season. If both deliver, Ferrari could reclaim the status of possessing the most formidable driver duo on the grid, but until then, McLaren remains the benchmark for stability and performance.
The 2026 Formula 1 season therefore presents a huge opportunity for Ferrari to demonstrate that their combination of experience and raw speed – represented by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc – can overcome past struggles and challenge for both championship and driver line-up supremacy.
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