Ferrari’s internal strategy on their two championship‑contending drivers has flared up again as the Belgian Grand Prix approaches.
Podcast Insight – Melted Mountains and F1 Foresight
While hiking the Austrian peaks, a Formula 1 journalist has been listening to F1 Nation’s preview of the Belgian Grand Prix. The show featured IndyCar veteran James Hinchcliffe and former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer, both of whom offered stark opinions on Ferrari’s approach to Leclerc and Hamilton.
Team‑Order Debate – Who Does Ferrari Back?
Hinchcliffe argues that Ferrari, still “cautious” about its philosophy, should “back one driver” and, given the current points gap, champion Lewis Hamilton. He cites last year’s McLaren duel as an example where an extra driver’s presence helped a lead driver win the title. The implication is that Ferrari now has two strong teammates that can help one of them.
Palmer, agreeing without objection, points out that a dedicated backing for Hamilton could push the orange‑and‑silver driver 22 points ahead of Charles Leclerc. “If we made Hamilton the clear and unquestionable priority, he would be positioned to overtake the incumbent team‑mate,” Palmer noted. “The challenge is whether Ferrari can pull that part together, given both drivers’ ambition.”
The Misused 1999 Example – A Cautionary Tale
Hinchcliffe referenced 1999 when Schumacher played second to Irvine in hopes of the championship. That season’s team orders at Magny‑Cours and the subsequent rider swap lead to a finale that would have crowned Irvine instead. The anecdote highlights that Ferrari’s hierarchy back then was unmistakably clear: Schumacher had no realistic title chance.
In 2025‑26, however, Leclerc and Hamilton have comparable standings—Leclerc’s 242 points against Hamilton’s 156—making the 1999 story largely irrelevant. An illustrated chart from the original article (not reproduced here) shows the quick rise in Leclerc’s pace after the Austrian Grand Prix.
Current Performance Landscape – A Balance of Ambition
Leclerc’s contract, locked in until the end of 2028, signals his value to the Scuderia. He “has given no indication he has forgotten how to race,” and, despite a sizable points deficit, can still carve victories depending on the seasons’ evolutions. “Even the gap at Spa could be narrowed” after the summer break, with new cars still evolving.
Conversely, Hamilton—41 years old—has demonstrated that “unconditional support from a teammate” is unnecessary. A strategy sacrificing Leclerc’s prospects would create “a worldwide shitstorm” and blemish Hamilton’s reputation as a sportsman.
Future Implications – A Question of Loyalty
Should Ferrari decide to promote a single driver, the backlash could be “immense.” Italian media would demand rational justification, though the result may not be obvious after only nine of at least 22 races. Under the current circumstances, the likelihood of any strategic shift is minimal, and at best would “not make any difference anyway.”
Palmer may have found his analysis “nonsense” this time, but his track record as an F1 expert remains strong. The journalistic intent is clear: championships are decided on the track, not in the paddock.
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