Lewis Hamilton has delivered one of Formula 1’s most remarkable turnarounds in 2026, forcing a former world champion to reconsider his expectations after the British superstar endured a difficult first season at Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion has experienced a significant resurgence this year, recovering from the disappointment of 2025 to become a genuine contender for race victories and one of Ferrari’s most influential figures. His performances have reportedly exceeded the expectations of Damon Hill, who admitted that Hamilton has surprised him considerably.
With the season approaching its final three races, Hamilton’s recovery has also reignited a major debate surrounding Ferrari’s driver management, particularly whether the Italian team should finally establish a clear hierarchy between its two championship contenders.
FORMER WORLD CHAMPION ADMITS HAMILTON HAS EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS
Damon Hill has openly acknowledged that Hamilton’s 2026 campaign has been considerably stronger than he anticipated.
Speaking on Sky Sports F1, the 1996 world champion reflected on the difficulties Hamilton experienced following his departure from Mercedes and subsequent arrival at Ferrari.
Hill admitted that he expected the British driver to face another extremely challenging season, especially after the disappointment of his first campaign with the Italian manufacturer.
Instead, Hamilton has rebuilt his confidence, rediscovered his competitive form and demonstrated that he remains capable of delivering exceptional performances at the highest level.
Hill described the recovery as extraordinary, highlighting the driver’s ability to overcome a prolonged period of disappointment while adapting to a demanding new environment.
His assessment represents a significant endorsement of Hamilton’s resilience, particularly considering the doubts that surrounded his future following the 2025 season.
HAMILTON’S FERRARI REVIVAL HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED THE NARRATIVE
Hamilton’s first season at Ferrari was widely regarded as one of the most difficult periods of his career.
The British driver finished sixth in the championship, 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc, and failed to secure a single podium finish for the first time in his Formula 1 career.
Those results prompted questions about whether Hamilton had reached the decline of his competitive abilities.
However, the 2026 campaign has produced a dramatically different picture.
Hamilton secured his first Ferrari victory at the Barcelona Grand Prix in June, proving that he could still compete for major victories despite the challenges associated with changing teams.
His current fourth position in the drivers’ championship also represents a substantial improvement, with Hamilton holding a 12-point advantage over Leclerc according to the standings outlined in the report.
Although an eighth world championship remains difficult to achieve, his performances have demonstrated that he should not be dismissed as a fading competitor.
DAMON HILL WANTS FERRARI TO MAKE HAMILTON THEIR NUMBER ONE DRIVER
Hill’s admiration for Hamilton has developed into a controversial recommendation concerning Ferrari’s driver management.
The former champion believes Ferrari should place its championship ambitions behind Hamilton and give him the strongest possible support.
According to Hill, the investment Ferrari has already made in bringing Hamilton to Maranello should be accompanied by a clear commitment to maximising his potential.
Hill believes Hamilton could deliver extraordinary results if Ferrari backed him completely, suggesting that his pursuit of an unprecedented eighth world championship remains a compelling opportunity.
However, that proposal immediately raises questions about Ferrari’s treatment of Leclerc, who has been part of the organisation for considerably longer and remains one of its most important drivers.
A decision to prioritise Hamilton would represent a major change in Ferrari’s established approach and could introduce additional tension within the team.
FERRARI’S INTERNAL POLITICS REMAIN A MAJOR CONCERN
One of Hill’s most significant observations concerned the apparent political divisions within Ferrari.
The former world champion suggested that different factions inside the organisation could be supporting opposing drivers, creating an environment that potentially undermines the team’s competitiveness.
Such divisions become particularly dangerous when Ferrari is fighting against powerful rivals such as Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull.
Formula 1 teams require exceptional coordination between drivers, engineers and management, especially when championship opportunities depend on strategic decisions during races.
If internal disagreements influence those decisions, Ferrari could lose valuable opportunities even when its machinery is competitive.
Hill believes the organisation must establish a clear direction rather than allow competing interests to interfere with its championship ambitions.
THE MEXICO CITY INCIDENT REIGNITED THE HAMILTON-LECLERC CONTROVERSY
Ferrari’s driver-management strategy attracted renewed scrutiny following the Mexican Grand Prix.
The on-track confrontation involving Hamilton and Leclerc reportedly left the British driver furious, with Hamilton accusing his teammate of working against him.
The incident became another example of the difficulties Ferrari faces when attempting to manage two highly competitive drivers without an established number-one hierarchy.
Hamilton subsequently indicated that the disagreement had been resolved, but the episode highlighted the possibility of further disputes whenever the drivers compete for the same positions.
Hill believes the situation demonstrates why Ferrari must establish a more decisive management structure.
However, the team’s current philosophy remains centred on treating both drivers equally, making any immediate change to Hamilton’s status unlikely.
WHY FERRARI MAY REFUSE TO CHANGE ITS DRIVER HIERARCHY
Despite Hill’s recommendation, Ferrari has already made its position relatively clear.
Hamilton reportedly signed a contract that established shared number-one status with Leclerc, meaning both drivers entered the partnership with an understanding that neither would automatically receive preferential treatment.
Team principal Fred Vasseur has also maintained that Ferrari considers both drivers equally important to its championship ambitions.
That arrangement creates a complicated situation because Hamilton’s improving performances could strengthen arguments for prioritising him, while Leclerc’s long-standing commitment to Ferrari provides another compelling reason to maintain equality.
Changing the arrangement could also damage morale and create additional instability within the team.
Ferrari must therefore balance individual performance against the broader objective of maintaining a competitive and united organisation.
HAMILTON’S RESURGENCE COULD BECOME A DEFINING MOMENT FOR FERRARI
Hamilton’s 2026 campaign has already transformed the conversation surrounding his future.
Instead of facing questions exclusively about declining performance, the British driver is now demonstrating that he remains capable of challenging established expectations.
His recovery also presents Ferrari with an important opportunity to evaluate how effectively it can support two elite drivers while maintaining a competitive championship structure.
Hill’s comments underline the growing belief that Hamilton’s experience, confidence and determination could become valuable assets in Ferrari’s pursuit of major honours.
However, whether the Italian manufacturer should prioritise him over Leclerc remains a divisive question.
Ultimately, Hamilton has already achieved something significant this season: he has forced critics to reconsider their assumptions and demonstrated that his Ferrari journey may still have plenty of unfinished business.
With the final three races approaching, his performances could determine whether this remarkable resurgence becomes one of the defining stories of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
