Ferrari’s internal team-orders debate is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore as the 2026 Formula 1 season reaches its summer break. Lewis Hamilton is currently the closest Ferrari driver to championship leader Kimi Antonelli, but journalist Giorgio Terruzzi has questioned whether anyone at Maranello can realistically ask Charles Leclerc to accept a supporting role.
Writing in Corriere della Sera, Giorgio Terruzzi examined the possibility of Ferrari establishing a clear internal hierarchy between its two drivers. The issue is particularly sensitive because only 11 Grands Prix have been completed so far, while both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc remain mathematically involved in the Drivers’ Championship.
Ferrari enter the summer break as Mercedes’ closest challenger
Ferrari arrive at Formula 1’s three-week August break as the second force in both championships. In the Constructors’ standings, the Scuderia trail Mercedes by 72 points, while Lewis Hamilton is 50 points behind Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship.
That situation has increasingly brought the subject of possible team orders into focus at Maranello. The debate is complicated by the fact that the season has only reached its halfway stage, with 11 Grands Prix completed out of the 22 — or potentially 24 — races on the calendar.
Ferrari’s dilemma has already been highlighted by the wider discussion over whether the team should eventually prioritise Lewis Hamilton in the 2026 title fight, particularly given the current points gap between the two Ferrari drivers.
Giorgio Terruzzi questions Ferrari team orders for Charles Leclerc
Asked whether Ferrari should establish an internal hierarchy in Lewis Hamilton’s favour, Giorgio Terruzzi gave a conditional answer.
“Yes, if the belief that Antonelli can be caught is circulating around the rooms at Maranello. No, if we analyse the ending in Hungary.”
The reference is to Ferrari’s decision at the Hungarian Grand Prix not to ask Charles Leclerc to build a gap of more than five seconds in order to allow Lewis Hamilton to retain fourth place despite his penalty.
Giorgio Terruzzi then explained why he believes Ferrari may still be too early in the season to impose such a clear structure between its drivers.
“In many respects, it is too early to dictate certain rules. It is not a head-to-head, and it seems difficult for something like that to happen between now and December.”
Finally, the Milan-based journalist highlighted just how significant a change it would represent for Charles Leclerc to be asked to operate as Lewis Hamilton’s supporting driver.
“It is hard to see who would have the authority, the nerve and the heart to have that kind of conversation.”
Charles Leclerc has outscored Lewis Hamilton over the last three races
The recent points trend makes Ferrari’s decision even more complicated. Up to the Austrian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton had scored 125 points compared with 79 for Charles Leclerc.
However, across the most recent three-race sequence at Silverstone, Spa and the Hungaroring, Charles Leclerc finished ahead of his team-mate on every occasion. Over those three weekends, Charles Leclerc collected 59 points, while Lewis Hamilton scored 44.
That recent run has reduced the gap between the Ferrari drivers even though Lewis Hamilton remains significantly closer to the championship lead. The Briton is currently 50 points behind Kimi Antonelli, while Charles Leclerc sits 81 points adrift of the Mercedes driver.
Lewis Hamilton’s position also has to be viewed in the context of several recent penalties and missed opportunities that have already cost him valuable championship ground, an issue examined in detail in Ferrari’s 2026 title fight.
Ferrari’s hierarchy decision remains unresolved
The figures explain why the discussion is becoming increasingly relevant, but they also show why Ferrari cannot make the decision lightly. Lewis Hamilton remains much closer to Kimi Antonelli in the championship, yet Charles Leclerc has been the stronger Ferrari points scorer over the last three race weekends.
For Fred Vasseur, the challenge is therefore not simply deciding which driver has the better mathematical chance of fighting for the title. It is also about determining whether the championship situation has become clear enough to justify asking one of Ferrari’s two leading drivers to sacrifice his own opportunities for the benefit of the other.
For now, Giorgio Terruzzi’s assessment reflects the central difficulty facing Maranello: Ferrari may eventually need a clear hierarchy if Lewis Hamilton remains Kimi Antonelli’s closest challenger, but asking Charles Leclerc to accept a supporting role would represent one of the most delicate decisions of the team’s 2026 season.
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