Damon Hill has urged Ferrari to settle its Ferrari driver hierarchy and back Lewis Hamilton as the team's clear number one, arguing the Italian squad cannot win a title while its two drivers keep racing each other. The 1996 world champion made the case on Sky Sports' The F1 Show after Formula 1's triple-header of races.
Ferrari driver hierarchy under scrutiny
Ferrari's handling of its drivers came under renewed attention at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Hamilton and Leclerc collided on the opening lap while running first and second. Red Bull's Max Verstappen went on to win a race Ferrari had looked likely to dominate.
Hamilton, who started on pole, criticised Leclerc for what he saw as an overly aggressive move against a team-mate. Team principal Fred Vasseur also expressed displeasure. Hamilton later said the matter had been "squashed" after a conversation with Leclerc at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Hill's case for backing Hamilton
Hill first raised the idea on social media after Mexico, writing that "Lewis will deliver for Ferrari if they back him 100 per cent." On the podcast he set out why the team's investment should translate into priority.
"They [Ferrari] have invested all this in Lewis, they've got him on board, he is a massive name in the sport," Hill said. He argued that with a competitive car next season Ferrari could fight for both championships, but not with drivers racing each other as they did in Mexico.
"I think it makes sense to me to put all your eggs behind Lewis," he added, pointing to the prospect of an eighth title. He also said internal factions are a problem: "I think we need to settle this in the team because there's a political problem in that team."
Hill described Hamilton as having rebuilt himself after the 2021 Abu Dhabi finale, where he lost the championship to Verstappen, and after a difficult first Ferrari season. Hamilton took his first win for the team in Barcelona this year.
Davidson questions automatic number one status
Sky Sports F1 pundit Anthony Davidson, appearing alongside Hill, was less comfortable with handing Hamilton priority by default. He compared the situation with Verstappen at Red Bull, where preferential treatment followed sustained dominance rather than being granted in advance.
"You have to earn that status," Davidson said, noting Leclerc's speed in particular. "I wouldn't be comfortable with the fact if you just say the number one in the team is Lewis and Charles, no matter where he is, you finish behind."
Hamilton sits fourth in the 2026 drivers' standings, one place ahead of Leclerc, with 12 points between them. Leclerc has nine grand prix wins across eight seasons with Ferrari, having joined from Sauber as a 21-year-old.
What to watch next
F1 moves to the Las Vegas Grand Prix from November 20-22, live on Sky Sports F1. How Ferrari manages the two drivers in wheel-to-wheel moments will be the point to watch.
The original report is from skysports.com.
