The battle for the title in the 2026 Formula 1 season between Ferrari drivers has gained a new element after Riccardo Patrese defended a clear team decision. For the former driver, Lewis Hamilton should be given priority over Charles Leclerc in the championship fight.
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After twelve rounds held this year, Hamilton is in a more favorable position between the two Ferrari representatives, with a 28-point lead over Leclerc. The Briton has the same points as George Russell, who managed to finish ahead of Hamilton in Zandvoort after taking advantage of the Italian team’s strategic uncertainty.
In an interview with a betting site, Patrese stated that Ferrari cannot keep both drivers on equal terms if they really have the conditions to fight for the championship. The Italian cited McLaren last season as an example of what the team should avoid, especially due to the decision to keep Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri free for their own battles.
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“If there is a chance for Ferrari to compete for the championship, they need to choose one driver. They cannot do what McLaren did last year, when their ‘Papaya rules’ left the door open for Lando and Oscar and refused team orders,” said Patrese.
For the former driver, the episode that occurred in Zandvoort reinforced the perception that Ferrari has not yet established a hierarchy between its drivers: “What happened in Zandvoort shows that Ferrari still has no clear ideas. If you want to compete for the drivers’ championship, you need to choose one of the two. And Lewis has to be number one. He is doing a fantastic job and is more consistent than Charles at the moment,” Patrese concluded.
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