Maurizio Arrivabene explains when Ferrari should choose between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Arrivabene reveals when Ferrari should back Hamilton or Leclerc.

Former Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene believes the Scuderia should not yet be thinking about favouring either Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc. In his view, Ferrari has a much more important objective at this stage of the 2026 Formula 1 season: staying ahead of Mercedes.

The former Ferrari boss keeps the focus on the bigger picture

Although Mercedes still leads the head-to-head battle by seven victories to Ferrari’s two, the Maranello team has won two of the last three Grands Prix, providing fresh momentum in the championship fight.

Without the technical problem that forced Andrea Kimi Antonelli out, the score would most likely stand at 8-1, with the Italian extending his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship. However, reliability has always been one of the defining factors in Formula 1, and during the opening phase of the 2026 season it has once again become a decisive element, particularly for the Mercedes-powered teams.

In the Drivers’ standings, Antonelli leads George Russell by 25 points, while Lewis Hamilton sits 32 points behind the championship leader. Charles Leclerc is fourth, 71 points adrift.

According to Maurizio Arrivabene, now is not the time for Ferrari to worry about internal preferences or establishing a clear hierarchy between its two drivers. Instead, the team’s full attention should remain focused on its primary rival.

“Managing Leclerc and Hamilton? I don’t think it’s as difficult as it seems,” Maurizio Arrivabene said after the British Grand Prix weekend while appearing on Race Anatomy on Sky. “There are circuits where one is faster, and others where the other has the advantage. When the right moment comes, a decision will be made. But right now, the only decision Ferrari needs to make is to stay ahead of Mercedes.”