{"id":2034864,"date":"2026-07-09T13:33:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T10:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2034864"},"modified":"2026-07-09T13:33:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T10:33:40","slug":"ferrari-told-prioritising-lewis-hamilton-is-its-only-chance-of-winning-f1-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2034864","title":{"rendered":"Ferrari told prioritising Lewis Hamilton is its \u201conly chance of winning\u201d F1 title"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Ferrari told prioritising Lewis Hamilton is its \u201conly chance of winning\u201d F1 title<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Ferrari has been advised to make a tough call to boost its F1 championship chances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-07-09T14:33:40+01:00\">09 Jul 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Hamilton and Leclerc celebrate Ferrari&#8217;s second win of 2026<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<aside>\n<div class=\"preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div>  Prefer Crash.Net on Google <\/div>\n<div> See our stories more often<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"button\">  Add <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Ferrari has been told that prioritising Lewis Hamilton could present the team with its \u201conly chance\u201d of winning the 2026 Formula 1 drivers\u2019 world championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That is the belief of former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley, who argued after the British Grand Prix that the Italian outfit may need to back Hamilton over team-mate Charles Leclerc if it is serious about ending its F1 title drought.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ferrari has not won a title since clinching the 2008 constructors\u2019 world championship, while Kimi Raikkonen remains the Scuderia\u2019s last driver to win the title, which he achieved in 2007.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Leclerc and Hamilton on the podium<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After finishing third at Silverstone, seven-time world champion Hamilton finds himself just 32 points behind championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who failed to score in a troubled race.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Despite Leclerc taking his first victory since 2024, the Monegasque sits 39 points behind Hamilton and is 71 points adrift of Antonelli.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Given Mercedes has largely dominated this season &#8211; winning seven out of the nine races so far &#8211; Ferrari cannot afford for its drivers to take points off each other if it is to maximise its championship chances, according to Smedley.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0fcee136b058a605d543f44107f3b47fb5ef4faa9ac49035118dfd6659409803\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Lewis Hamilton expects Mercedes drivers to be hit with F1 penalties <\/li>\n<li>Brundle highlights valuable lesson for Antonelli after Silverstone \u2018heartbreak\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;100% agree with that,\u201d Smedley responded to a question on the High Performance Racing podcast when it was put to him that Ferrari could have swapped its cars on track at the British Grand Prix.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHowever, I am going to go against my own sense of logic and say I actually think that doing something as extreme as that is the only chance Ferrari has of winning this world championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think that if they play the game of trying to outpace Mercedes in car terms, and then they play the game of allowing the drivers to race each other with such a big gap between Lewis and Charles, the probability significantly diminishes for them to win the drivers&#8217; world championship.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;So, I think that although it goes against my logic, there are too many variables coming up. So why would you ever do it? But I think that is the one and only strategy that they&#8217;ve got of Lewis winning this world championship.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Ferrari took a 1-3 at Silverstone<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ferrari has avoided using team orders this season and has allowed Hamilton and Leclerc to race each other freely. But with Ferrari closing in on Mercedes, talk of a possible title challenge has only increased.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ferrari did not shy away from using team orders to boost its championship chances in the past, particularly in the height of Michael Schumacher\u2019s dominance.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Don&#8217;t miss the latest F1 talking points.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-field-keywords block-layout-builder\">\n<h2>Tags:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Ferrari<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Lewis Hamilton<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Charles Leclerc<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3> Previous <span>Article<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_plain\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Max Verstappen and Red Bull \u2018drifting apart\u2019 after \u2018breakdown in trust\u2019 claim from former F1 winner <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-61aa290391d42ea0e3ec6000d7468feb428c3c9950dc1a0a7938a75d951d2e03\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>Related Articles<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-3d3fadfda7c43612c1fc70d6770735cc57a484a366bb46ca6f9eaf9af4b66ebf\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Ferrari&#8217;s 250 F1 victories: Which driver and circuit tops the Scuderia&#8217;s win list?<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424472_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Leclerc celebrates Ferrari&apos;s 250th F1 win\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News 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class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1783587120\"> 4h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423340_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423340_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423340_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Don&#8217;t miss the latest F1 talking points.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"component-card-default block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<h2>More News<\/h2>\n<div class=\"component-blocks-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-3a2d4ef2d4bd4ed92bb318850a208363fd5ed8a12df6e8a000df94565c32cbc9\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton expects Mercedes drivers to be hit with F1 penalties <\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1783586347\"> 5h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423436_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423436_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423436_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> IndyCar  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>McLaren reserve driver &#8216;asks to be fired from F1&#8217; after 2027 seat confirmed<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1783584000\"> 5h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1392994_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1392994_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1392994_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Goodwood Festival of Speed Thursday LIVE: Casey Stoner and Carl Fogarty celebrate Ducati&#8217;s 100th anniversary<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1783581300\"> 6h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_324318_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_324318_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_324318_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Brundle highlights valuable lesson for Antonelli after Silverstone \u2018heartbreak\u2019<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1783525238\"> 22h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423832_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423832_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423832_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>FIA consider engine plan to end F1 manufacturer &#8216;control over B-teams&#8217; <\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1783523580\"> 22h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423597_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423597_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1423597_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Ferrari has been advised to make a tough call to boost its F1 championship chances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Ferrari has been told that prioritising Lewis Hamilton could present the team with its \u201conly chance\u201d of winning the 2026 Formula 1 drivers\u2019 world championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That is the belief of former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley, who argued after the British Grand Prix that the Italian outfit may need to back Hamilton over team-mate Charles Leclerc if it is serious about ending its F1 title drought.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ferrari has not won a title since clinching the 2008 constructors\u2019 world championship, while Kimi Raikkonen remains the Scuderia\u2019s last driver to win the title, which he achieved in 2007.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Leclerc and Hamilton on the podium<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After finishing third at Silverstone, seven-time world champion Hamilton finds himself just 32 points behind championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who failed to score in a troubled race.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Despite Leclerc taking his first victory since 2024, the Monegasque sits 39 points behind Hamilton and is 71 points adrift of Antonelli.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Given Mercedes has largely dominated this season &#8211; winning seven out of the nine races so far &#8211; Ferrari cannot afford for its drivers to take points off each other if it is to maximise its championship chances, according to Smedley.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0fcee136b058a605d543f44107f3b47fb5ef4faa9ac49035118dfd6659409803\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Lewis Hamilton expects Mercedes drivers to be hit with F1 penalties <\/li>\n<li>Brundle highlights valuable lesson for Antonelli after Silverstone \u2018heartbreak\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;100% agree with that,\u201d Smedley responded to a question on the High Performance Racing podcast when it was put to him that Ferrari could have swapped its cars on track at the British Grand Prix.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHowever, I am going to go against my own sense of logic and say I actually think that doing something as extreme as that is the only chance Ferrari has of winning this world championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think that if they play the game of trying to outpace Mercedes in car terms, and then they play the game of allowing the drivers to race each other with such a big gap between Lewis and Charles, the probability significantly diminishes for them to win the drivers&#8217; world championship.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;So, I think that although it goes against my logic, there are too many variables coming up. So why would you ever do it? But I think that is the one and only strategy that they&#8217;ve got of Lewis winning this world championship.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Ferrari took a 1-3 at Silverstone<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ferrari has avoided using team orders this season and has allowed Hamilton and Leclerc to race each other freely. But with Ferrari closing in on Mercedes, talk of a possible title challenge has only increased.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ferrari did not shy away from using team orders to boost its championship chances in the past, particularly in the height of Michael Schumacher\u2019s dominance.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Don&#8217;t miss the latest F1 talking points.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Ferrari has been told that prioritising Lewis Hamilton could present the team with its \u201conly chance\u201d of winning the 2026 Formula 1 drivers\u2019 world championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That is the belief of former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley, who argued after the British Grand Prix that the Italian outfit may need to back Hamilton over team-mate Charles Leclerc if it is serious about ending its F1 title drought.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ferrari has not won a title since clinching the 2008 constructors\u2019 world championship, while Kimi Raikkonen remains the Scuderia\u2019s last driver to win the title, which he achieved in 2007.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424461_hires_1.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Leclerc and Hamilton on the podium<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After finishing third at Silverstone, seven-time world champion Hamilton finds himself just 32 points behind championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who failed to score in a troubled race.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Despite Leclerc taking his first victory since 2024, the Monegasque sits 39 points behind Hamilton and is 71 points adrift of Antonelli.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Given Mercedes has largely dominated this season &#8211; winning seven out of the nine races so far &#8211; Ferrari cannot afford for its drivers to take points off each other if it is to maximise its championship chances, according to Smedley.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-0fcee136b058a605d543f44107f3b47fb5ef4faa9ac49035118dfd6659409803\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Lewis Hamilton expects Mercedes drivers to be hit with F1 penalties <\/li>\n<li>Brundle highlights valuable lesson for Antonelli after Silverstone \u2018heartbreak\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;100% agree with that,\u201d Smedley responded to a question on the High Performance Racing podcast when it was put to him that Ferrari could have swapped its cars on track at the British Grand Prix.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHowever, I am going to go against my own sense of logic and say I actually think that doing something as extreme as that is the only chance Ferrari has of winning this world championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think that if they play the game of trying to outpace Mercedes in car terms, and then they play the game of allowing the drivers to race each other with such a big gap between Lewis and Charles, the probability significantly diminishes for them to win the drivers&#8217; world championship.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;So, I think that although it goes against my logic, there are too many variables coming up. So why would you ever do it? But I think that is the one and only strategy that they&#8217;ve got of Lewis winning this world championship.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424234_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Ferrari took a 1-3 at Silverstone<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ferrari has avoided using team orders this season and has allowed Hamilton and Leclerc to race each other freely. But with Ferrari closing in on Mercedes, talk of a possible title challenge has only increased.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ferrari did not shy away from using team orders to boost its championship chances in the past, particularly in the height of Michael Schumacher\u2019s dominance.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Don&#8217;t miss the latest F1 talking points.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1100456\/1\/ferrari-told-prioritising-lewis-hamilton-its-only-chance-winning-f1-title&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/xpb_1424444_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Ferrari told prioritising Lewis Hamilton is its \u201conly chance of winning\u201d F1 title Ferrari has been advised to make a tough call to boost its F1 championship chances. Lewis Larkam 09 Jul 2026 Share Hamilton and Leclerc celebrate Ferrari&#8217;s second win of 2026 Prefer Crash.Net on Google See our stories more often [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-2034864","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2034864","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2034864"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2034864\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2034864"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2034864"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2034864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}