Could the internal Ferrari battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc play a decisive role in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship? The stage is set for a thrilling season as both drivers prepare to push the SF-26 to its limits.
Hamilton ready for a comeback
In 2025, Charles Leclerc clearly won the intra-team duel at Ferrari against Lewis Hamilton, though the seven-time world champion did secure a memorable victory in the Sprint race in China — an achievement never repeated later in the season by either driver.
The SF-25 ultimately proved unable to consistently meet Ferrari’s championship ambitions. With the SF-26, hopes are high that both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will be able to fight regularly for top podium positions, starting with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend.
The Ferrari duel and Hamilton’s perspective
If the SF-26 turns out to be a championship-caliber car, the Ferrari “derby” could carry enormous pressure. Hamilton, however, has immediately sought to calm any tension. “Do I think I will be ahead of Leclerc? I don’t see it that way,” Hamilton told Corriere della Sera. “Ferrari is one entity. In Italy, and elsewhere, people follow it like a religion and love it like the Pope. My goal isn’t to divide the fans; we both want to win. Of course, I would like to be the one on top, and I am working toward that, but the team comes first. Charles is a phenomenal driver in how he drives, his work ethic, and he has been here for eight years.”
Building familiarity with Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton believes that he has closed — if not completely erased — the gap with Charles Leclerc in terms of understanding the Ferrari way, aided by a completely new set of regulations. “I approach this championship differently. For the past 14 months, I have been working on the 2026 car, at the simulator and with the engineers. Compared to the previous car, which was already designed and allowed me very little change, this car contains a bit of my DNA, and that excites me,” he said.
As the season begins, Ferrari fans can expect a respectful yet intense rivalry between two of the sport’s most talented drivers. While Hamilton and Leclerc may compete fiercely on track, both make it clear that the team’s success always comes first — a philosophy that will define Ferrari’s 2026 campaign.
Lewis Hamilton’s measured approach to his rivalry with Charles Leclerc suggests a veteran who understands that internal harmony is the only way to topple giants like Red Bull and Mercedes. While the “DNA” Hamilton has embedded into the SF-26 marks a psychological shift in his favor, his respect for the “religion” of Ferrari shows he is fully integrated into the Maranello culture. This article summarizes Hamilton’s outlook on the upcoming campaign, highlighting his collaborative spirit and his technical contribution to a car that he hopes will finally lead him to that elusive eighth world title.
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