Lewis Hamilton’s rise is fueling fresh discussion inside Ferrari
Ferrari’s 2026 Formula 1 campaign has been defined by two contrasting storylines. On one side, Lewis Hamilton has steadily built momentum and established himself as a genuine championship contender. On the other, Charles Leclerc has endured a frustrating run of misfortune, with technical failures preventing him from capitalizing on several promising weekends.
Those diverging trajectories have inevitably sparked debate about the current balance within the Scuderia. While Ferrari entered the season with one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid, recent results have led some observers to question whether the internal dynamic is beginning to evolve.
Among them is former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert, who believes Lewis Hamilton’s growing confidence and increasing influence could be reshaping the structure of the team in subtle but significant ways.
From adaptation phase to championship contender
When Lewis Hamilton arrived at Ferrari, many expected Charles Leclerc to remain the unquestioned reference point inside the team. After all, the Monegasque driver had spent years helping shape Ferrari’s development direction and was widely viewed as the cornerstone of the team’s long-term project.
The early stages of the season appeared to support that expectation. The Briton needed time to adapt to a completely different working environment, new engineering methods and a car with characteristics unlike anything he had experienced during his lengthy spell at Mercedes.
However, as the season has progressed, the seven-time world champion has steadily found his rhythm. The breakthrough victory in Barcelona represented more than just an important result—it served as confirmation that Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari are beginning to unlock their full potential together.
With improved confidence, stronger communication with engineers and a car that increasingly suits his driving style, the seven-time world champion has emerged as one of the central figures in the championship battle.
Johnny Herbert sees a shift in Ferrari’s center of gravity
Speaking on the Stay on Track podcast, Johnny Herbert reflected on how dramatically perceptions have changed since the beginning of the year.
The former Formula 1 driver explained that he initially expected Charles Leclerc to maintain a clear leadership position within Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton would face a difficult adaptation period after changing teams. According to Johnny Herbert, that prediction appeared accurate during the opening races.
Yet recent developments have caused him to reconsider that view. He suggested that Lewis Hamilton’s combination of natural ability, experience and renewed confidence has allowed him to establish a stronger presence within the team than many anticipated. Johnny Herbert argued that Lewis Hamilton now appears to be receiving the support structure necessary to operate at his highest level, creating what he described as a noticeable transformation within Ferrari.
In his assessment, the internal atmosphere at Maranello no longer revolves around the same hierarchy that existed in previous seasons.
Charles Leclerc remains central despite difficult period
While the discussion surrounding Lewis Hamilton has intensified, it would be premature to interpret recent events as a decline in Charles Leclerc’s importance to Ferrari.
The Monegasque driver remains one of the fastest qualifiers in Formula 1 and continues to play a vital role in the technical development of the SF-26. However, circumstances have not been kind to him in recent races.
Retirements in both Monaco and Barcelona significantly damaged his championship challenge and created a misleading picture of the performance gap between the two Ferrari drivers. Without those setbacks, Charles Leclerc would likely be much closer to Lewis Hamilton in the standings and the conversation surrounding Ferrari’s internal dynamic could look very different.
Nevertheless, Formula 1 is a results-driven sport, and momentum often shapes perception as much as outright speed.
Statistics highlight a changing narrative
The contrast between recent seasons and the current campaign is striking. In 2025, Charles Leclerc finished fifth in the Drivers’ Championship with 242 points and comfortably outscored Lewis Hamilton, who ended the season significantly behind his teammate.
Fast forward to 2026 and the situation has changed dramatically. After the opening seven rounds, the Briton sits second in the championship standings and remains within striking distance of leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, occupies fourth place after seeing valuable points slip away due to reliability problems.
Those numbers alone do not tell the full story, but they help explain why discussions regarding Ferrari’s internal hierarchy have become increasingly common.
A partnership that could define Ferrari’s future
Despite speculation about leadership roles, Ferrari’s greatest strength may ultimately be the fact that it possesses two elite drivers capable of pushing the team forward.
Lewis Hamilton brings experience, race management and an unmatched understanding of championship campaigns. Charles Leclerc contributes raw speed, deep knowledge of Ferrari’s systems and a long-term commitment to the project. Rather than creating a rivalry that weakens the team, Ferrari’s challenge will be to harness the strengths of both drivers while continuing the rapid development of the SF-26.
Whether Johnny Herbert’s assessment proves accurate over the long term remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence has altered the narrative surrounding Ferrari. For the first time since his arrival, discussions are no longer centered on adaptation. Instead, they focus on influence, leadership and the possibility that a new era may be beginning inside Maranello.
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