Lewis Hamilton has insisted he is not asking for preferential treatment from Ferrari, despite being in a stronger position than teammate Charles Leclerc in the 2026 Formula 1 title race. The seven-time world champion stressed the importance of teamwork over internal competition.
His comments came after Leclerc's retirement from the Italian Grand Prix left him 112 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli. With 10 rounds remaining and a maximum of 258 points available, Leclerc's chances are slim. Hamilton, meanwhile, is just 76 points adrift, giving him a realistic shot as a dark horse.
Consistency Key for Hamilton
Hamilton's consistency has kept him in contention. He is the only driver to have finished every grand prix in the top 10, never finishing outside the top six. However, he is aware of Mercedes' speed advantage, largely due to a power unit deficit.
"Mercedes, if you look at the last race, they were six tenths a lap quicker on the straights," Hamilton said. "Pretty much most of the other tracks, it was three or four tenths. We were losing just on the straights."
He praised the team's efforts to improve the car and engine, acknowledging that the latest upgrade wouldn't be a silver bullet but seeing continuous progress as positive. "They are just very, very quick, and it's not easy," he added.
Focus on Themselves
Hamilton emphasised that his focus is not on Mercedes but on executing their own races well. He believes there will be weekends where Mercedes is exceptional and others where they falter. "As long as we just focus on our consistency and trying to optimise our weekends, maybe there's going to be a moment where we are able to capitalise on their shortcomings," he explained.
An example was his victory at the Barcelona Grand Prix, where he beat Antonelli and George Russell. That win proved Ferrari can still compete when they maximise opportunities.
By rejecting preferential treatment, Hamilton shows he prioritises team harmony over personal ambition. This could be key for Ferrari to perform more consistently for the rest of the season, though the challenge from Mercedes remains tough.
Baca Juga
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Lewis Hamilton menolak prioritas di Ferrari meski peluang gelar F1 2026 lebih besar dari Charles Leclerc. Fokus pada kerja sama tim dan konsistensi.
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