Mathias Lauda sees Niki Lauda similarities in Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari resurgence

Mathias Lauda believes Lewis Hamilton’s improved form at Ferrari has brought back memories of his father, Niki Lauda. The Austrian has highlighted Lewis Hamilton’s growing advantage over Charles Leclerc during the 2026 Formula 1 season, arguing that the new Ferrari has helped the seven-time world champion rediscover the confidence and comfort missing in his first year with the team.

Lewis Hamilton arrived at the Belgian Grand Prix with a 147-point tally, 39 points ahead of Charles Leclerc after nine rounds. While Charles Leclerc’s British Grand Prix victory offered Ferrari a timely boost, Lewis Hamilton has generally held the upper hand in their second season as team-mates, both in races and in the increasingly close qualifying contest.

Lewis Hamilton has reversed Ferrari’s internal balance

Charles Leclerc held a clear advantage over Lewis Hamilton during the 2025 season, winning their qualifying head-to-head 19-5 and finishing ahead in 18 of their 21 Grand Prix races. The shift to the 2026 regulations, which moved Formula 1 away from the ground-effect cars Lewis Hamilton struggled to enjoy, has changed the picture considerably.

Ferrari’s work on the car in response to Lewis Hamilton’s feedback has coincided with a stronger season from the British driver. Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton led Charles Leclerc 6-3 in race results and trailed only 5-4 in qualifying. The margins show that Charles Leclerc remains competitive over one lap, but Lewis Hamilton has been the more consistent Ferrari driver on Sundays.

Lewis Hamilton took his first Grand Prix win for Ferrari in Barcelona in May. Charles Leclerc responded with his first victory of the season at Silverstone, where he moved away from the set-up direction he had been following and configured the car to his own preference. Ferrari’s form at Spa will be shaped by further technical variables, including the new FIA energy-management challenge facing every team.

Mathias Lauda recalls Niki Lauda’s Ferrari influence

Speaking to OE24, Mathias Lauda suggested that Lewis Hamilton’s ability to establish an advantage over Charles Leclerc reminded him of his father’s time at Ferrari. He described Lewis Hamilton and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the season’s two major surprises, while stressing that Lewis Hamilton’s performance against an accomplished qualifier such as Charles Leclerc had been particularly impressive.

Mathias Lauda indicated that the current Ferrari suits Lewis Hamilton’s driving style far more naturally than last year’s car. In his view, that compatibility had restored the enjoyment and apparent ease in Lewis Hamilton’s driving, helping explain why the balance inside Ferrari has moved in his favour.

The comparison carries added meaning because Niki Lauda was instrumental in persuading Lewis Hamilton to leave McLaren for Mercedes in 2013. Lewis Hamilton went on to win six of his seven drivers’ titles with Mercedes, while Niki Lauda became a highly influential figure in the team during that era.

Niki Lauda’s legacy sets a demanding benchmark

Niki Lauda raced for Ferrari between 1974 and 1977, winning the drivers’ championship in 1975 and 1977. His first title ended Ferrari’s wait for a drivers’ crown stretching back to 1964. Niki Lauda was also known for his technical understanding and relentless work ethic, qualities that helped align the team around a clear direction.

Mathias Lauda sees echoes of that influence in Lewis Hamilton’s current role at Maranello. Ferrari have not won the drivers’ championship since Kimi Räikkönen’s 2007 success, so Lewis Hamilton’s 2026 title challenge carries an obvious historical significance for the team.

Charles Leclerc’s win at Silverstone nevertheless ensured that Ferrari’s internal picture remains far from settled. The Monegasque is still within 39 points of Lewis Hamilton, and his confidence heading into Spa will be relevant as Ferrari assesses its prospects for the weekend. Charles Leclerc has already set out Ferrari’s expectations for Spa-Francorchamps, a circuit where the team must convert its recent progress into another strong result.

The source also reports that Ferrari are prepared to place full weight behind Lewis Hamilton’s title bid. However, Charles Leclerc’s British Grand Prix success means that any such approach would remain a major talking point as the championship develops, rather than a conclusion established by the on-track standings alone.