Hamilton is very upset
For several years Ferrari has abandoned the concept of first and second driver, a team dynamic that, for example, was always the basis of the Schumacher era which the Maranello team recalls with the celebratory livery referring to 1996.
Read more Russell-Verstappen, here we go again: “Max braked hard, you can’t control what others do”
Schumacher had Eddie Irvine first, then Rubens Barrichello and finally Felipe Massa by his side: except for some famous episodes involving Rubinho, Schumacher was always the undisputed captain of Ferrari with his teammates always ready to serve the Kaiser especially when it came to making race experiments when it was not clear which tires were best, especially when it started to rain or the track began to dry.
Lewis Hamilton for several races now would like to be recognized as Ferrari’s first driver especially because the chase for the world title is not at all easy facing such a competitive Mercedes. For the Maranello team it is not at all easy to recognize him since Charles Leclerc certainly does not have his bags packed, on the contrary, he renewed his contract a few months ago. Also, with almost 300 points still to be awarded it is obvious that the 28 that separate him from Hamilton are not enough for Leclerc to accept any subordination.
Read more Antonelli, everyone cheers for you: even Bezzecchi and Aprilia in Monza push Kimi’s comeback
The seven-time world champion at the end of the Monza Qualifying again made quite eloquent statements about his disappointment for a captain role that is not granted to him: “There is light at the end of the tunnel, but it is getting dimmer and dimmer. Even though the team is doing an extraordinary job introducing updates and making us progress, I am really proud of everyone who works with us: I keep repeating it, but it’s because I really think it. I couldn’t do what I do without seeing everyone’s great work, and I always feel the need to make sure to thank them and recognize their merit, because I want them to keep giving their best and maintain that hunger for victory, that passion and that enthusiasm. But even on track we have to behave the right way and act accordingly to make sure we get the result we need.”
“I mean, we are at a point in the year where 59 points represent a huge, huge disadvantage to recover, especially when Mercedes continues to be the fastest. So yes, we have to work as a team”, Hamilton added leaving no room for many other interpretations than that of being recognized as first driver.
Read more 6 Hours of COTA 2026, Qualifying: Giovinazzi takes Ferrari #51 to pole position
