Speculation is rife in the racing world about where Ferrari’s focus should lie for the 2026 F1 season. 🏎️
- Juan Pablo Montoya suggests Ferrari build their 2026 car around Lewis Hamilton, not Charles Leclerc.
- Hamilton believes focusing on the future is crucial to staying competitive in upcoming seasons.
- Despite Leclerc’s commendable performances, Montoya feels Hamilton’s input is vital for Ferrari’s championship aspirations.
- Ferrari’s last championship win was in 2008, and they strive to recapture that glory.
The Formula 1 world is abuzz with speculation following comments by Juan Pablo Montoya, urging Ferrari to focus entirely on Lewis Hamilton’s preferences for their 2026 car. This comes on the heels of Hamilton himself expressing a desire for Ferrari to channel efforts towards next year’s car development. With new regulations promising to shake things up, this strategy could be Ferrari’s chance to redefine their standing.
Montoya, a seasoned F1 champion, argues that Hamilton’s expertise and experience make him the ideal driving force to steer Ferrari toward success. He bluntly stated that Hamilton’s guidance in the car’s design could be the key to unlocking championship potential, as opposed to focusing on Charles Leclerc, whose car preferences might only lead to sporadic race wins rather than a title.
Hamilton, the multiple world champion, has expressed his readiness to shift focus to 2026. He highlighted the importance of building a strong foundation this year to prepare for the new challenges ahead. “We’ll keep pushing with what we have, but before too soon, I will just be saying, ‘Let’s focus on next year,'” he told reporters, indicating a strategic shift for Ferrari.
Despite scoring podiums and demonstrating impressive skill, Leclerc’s current performance is not enough to sway Montoya from his opinion. The idea is to harness Hamilton’s proven ability to ‘quickly find more pace,’ as Montoya noted, ensuring Ferrari is ready to fight for titles again. Since their last Constructors’ Championship win in 2008, Ferrari’s championship drought motivates them to seek new paths to victory.
Ferrari faces a pivotal decision: to follow Montoya’s advice and bank on Hamilton’s experience, or to continue balancing the team dynamics with Leclerc’s input.
