Following consecutive second-place finishes in Montreal and Monaco, crowned by a spectacular victory in Barcelona, Lewis Hamilton is enjoying a sensational run of form with Ferrari. This recent surge has allowed him to close the gap to just 41 points behind world championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli. What stands out most about the seven-time World Champion is the dramatic turnaround in his performance, especially when compared directly to teammate Charles Leclerc, who had completely dominated him during the 2025 season.
Speaking to Sky Sports UK, 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve expressed his conviction that Ferrari cannot afford a dual-driver approach if they want any hope of mounting a serious title comeback against Mercedes. “Lewis knows how to win and knows what is needed, and he can make the difference. Mercedes cannot choose between their drivers at the moment, whereas Ferrari can,” the Canadian pundit observed.
Villeneuve is certain about the path forward for Maranello. “Ferrari must focus on Lewis if they want to have even a slight chance of winning. The decision is easy to make because Leclerc is quite far behind. In the studio, you were saying that Leclerc had the time to build the team around himself, but that he did not do it. Well, keep in mind how he arrived at Ferrari, after an average season at Sauber. He suddenly received a mega contract fit for a world champion. Perhaps too big, too early, too fast.”
The former Williams driver has a very clear perspective on Leclerc’s current predicament within the Scuderia. “He never had to build anything around himself. He was given everything. He was fast and that was enough, because the general perception was of a car incapable of winning the world championship. It was enough for him to win a few races and beat his teammate, who was Vettel, to make everyone happy.”
However, the dynamics in the garage have shifted dramatically since the arrival of the British driver. “Lewis did not have a great season initially; he was struggling with the car and the team. It takes time to build. Leclerc was happy just to look good next to Lewis, but when Lewis woke up, made the car and the team his own, and started giving his absolute maximum without holding back, Leclerc was not prepared,” Jacques Villeneuve concluded.
In summary, Jacques Villeneuve’s sharp analysis underscores the intense shifting dynamics at Ferrari as the 2026 season progresses. By highlighting Lewis Hamilton’s veteran instinct and capacity to spearhead a development direction, the former champion frames the intra-team battle as a defining moment for Charles Leclerc’s long-term standing in Maranello.
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