Hamilton: I haven't asked Ferrari for preferential treatment over Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton has clarified that he is not seeking preferential treatment from Ferrari over Charles Leclerc, even though his title hopes are more realistic than his teammate's. The seven-time champion says his focus is on teamwork to secure the best possible results for the Scuderia.

Why it matters:

With Leclerc 112 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli and Hamilton 76 adrift, Ferrari faces a decision on whether to back one driver. Hamilton's consistency has kept him in contention, but Mercedes' straight-line speed advantage remains a major obstacle.

The details:

• Leclerc's retirement at Monza left him 112 points behind Antonelli, with 258 points still available over the final 10 rounds.
• Hamilton is the only driver to finish every grand prix in the top 10, and has never finished outside the top six.
• Ferrari has yet to take a single pole position in 2026, with the power unit deficit largely to blame.
• Hamilton noted Mercedes was six tenths per lap quicker on straights at the last race, and three to four tenths at most other tracks.

What's next:

Hamilton believes Ferrari's best chance is to focus on consistency and execution, hoping to capitalize on any Mercedes mistakes. He pointed to his Barcelona victory as proof that opportunities can be seized when the Silver Arrows slip up.