Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence at Ferrari in 2026 has left David Coulthard surprised by the balance of power inside Maranello, with the seven-time world champion currently outperforming Charles Leclerc despite being much closer to the end of his Formula 1 career.
After a difficult first Ferrari season in 2025, when Hamilton struggled to adapt to a new team and car, the regulation changes introduced for 2026 have coincided with a significant turnaround. Hamilton and Leclerc have each won once this season, but the British driver holds a 24-point advantage over his team-mate and sits third in the Drivers’ Championship, 101 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli.
That has made Hamilton Ferrari’s strongest championship contender throughout the campaign and placed renewed attention on the internal comparison between the Scuderia’s two drivers. Coulthard believes the results currently favour Hamilton, even if the former Formula 1 driver feels the situation would ordinarily be expected to look very different.
David Coulthard surprised by Lewis Hamilton’s advantage over Charles Leclerc
Asked on the Up To Speed podcast which Ferrari driver he would choose as the team’s number one, David Coulthard drew a clear distinction between the two most recent seasons. Based on 2025, his choice would have been Charles Leclerc, but Hamilton’s stronger performances and more consistent points-scoring in 2026 would currently give the Briton the advantage.
Coulthard nevertheless suggested that Hamilton should not ordinarily be outperforming his younger team-mate at this stage of their respective careers. He pointed to Leclerc’s age, raw speed and energy compared with a 41-year-old Hamilton who is much further along in his Formula 1 career. Even so, Coulthard emphasised that the results themselves currently support Hamilton.
The comparison is particularly significant because Leclerc has long been central to Ferrari’s future plans, while Hamilton arrived in Maranello as one of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history. More coverage of the two drivers can be found in the dedicated Lewis Hamilton Ferrari section and Charles Leclerc Ferrari section.
Monza clash intensified Ferrari team-order debate
The sporting rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc has also come under greater scrutiny during 2026. Their relationship became a major talking point after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where a first-chicane incident between the Ferrari pair triggered fresh debate over whether the team needs clearer rules of engagement.
Hamilton was unhappy with Ferrari’s handling of the situation after Leclerc forced him off the circuit at the opening chicane, costing the seven-time world champion valuable track position. Ferrari’s approach differed from the system Hamilton experienced at Mercedes during his intense rivalry with Nico Rosberg, when the team established rules governing how its drivers should race one another.
The fallout has contributed to a wider discussion over how Ferrari should manage two competitive drivers while championship points are at stake. Nico Rosberg has warned that failing to establish sufficiently clear team orders could eventually create serious problems for the Scuderia.
Ferrari’s handling of its drivers has remained under scrutiny since Monza, with the debate continuing into subsequent races. The wider situation, including Fred Vasseur’s response to the internal tensions and the changing relevance of team orders, has also become part of the Ferrari team-orders discussion involving Hamilton and Leclerc.
Hamilton currently has the stronger case on 2026 results
For Coulthard, the immediate question of which driver deserves priority is ultimately decided by current performance rather than age or long-term status. Hamilton has been the more consistent points scorer in 2026 and remains ahead of Leclerc in the championship, which is why Coulthard would select the Briton if Ferrari had to nominate a number-one driver on present form.
Hamilton is nevertheless approaching the latter stages of his career. The British driver is believed to be contracted to Ferrari until 2028, although he has maintained that he intends to remain in Formula 1 for several more years.
Leclerc represents a different part of Ferrari’s long-term picture. His recent contract extension reinforces his position as a central figure in the team’s future, and Ralf Schumacher has argued that it is the Monegasque rather than Hamilton who represents Ferrari’s longer-term direction.
That leaves Leclerc with the challenge of reasserting himself against a team-mate who endured a difficult 2025 but has responded strongly under the new regulations. For now, Hamilton holds the advantage both in points and consistency, while the wider championship picture can be followed through the current Formula 1 driver standings.
Ferrari’s 2027 ambitions add importance to Hamilton-Leclerc battle
The significance of their internal fight extends beyond the remaining races of 2026. Ferrari will be aiming to mount another championship challenge in 2027, and both drivers will want to enter that campaign having established the strongest possible position within the team.
Hamilton will therefore be determined to preserve the advantage he has built after turning around a difficult first year in red. Leclerc, meanwhile, faces the task of regaining control of a rivalry that many would have expected him to lead given his age, experience within Ferrari and long-term role at the Scuderia.
For Coulthard, that contrast is precisely what makes the current situation so striking. Hamilton may be much nearer the end of his Formula 1 career than Leclerc, but in 2026 the championship table and the consistency of his results continue to place the seven-time world champion ahead.
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