1997 Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has called on Ferrari to abandon Charles Leclerc in favour of Lewis Hamilton in 2026.
Villeneuve, who started his time in the sport during Williams’ peak years, has direct experience of moulding a team around him during a title battle, battling Ferrari and Michael Schumacher.
The Canadian’s teammate at the time, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, ended up in a supporting role, unable to keep pace with Villeneuve’s searing pace.
Villeneuve believes Leclerc failed to build Ferrari around him when given the opportunity, with a resurgent Hamilton now all but out of reach.
“Leclerc had time to build the team around him and he didn’t,” Villeneuve said on The F1 Show podcast.
“Bear in mind how he came into Ferrari was after an average season at Sauber and suddenly giving the huge mega contract, like a world champion contract. Maybe too much too soon?
“He’s never really had to build anything around him. It was given, it was there. He was quick and that was plenty because the perception was, that’s a car that cannot win a championship anyway. You win a few races, you beat your team-mate, which was [Sebastian] Vettel. Everybody was happy.
“Suddenly in comes Lewis last year, who’s not having a great season. He’s really having a hard time with the car, the team, it takes time to build this around yourself, so Leclerc is quite happy. He’s looking good next to Lewis.
“But the minute Lewis woke up, the minute Lewis made that car and that team his own and he’s going for it and doesn’t leave any quarter, Leclerc is not prepared for that.”
Time for Ferrari move focus away from Charles Leclerc onto Lewis Hamilton?
Villeneuve then highlighted Hamilton’s attributes, before calling on Ferrari to shift focus to the seven-time world champion.
“Lewis knows how to win, and he knows what it takes. And if he gets a sniff of it, there won’t be any quarters,” the Canadian added.
“I think that’s where he can make the difference. Mercedes right now are not in a position to be even able or allowed to choose a driver over another
“Ferrari is because Ferrari has to focus on Lewis if they want a small chance of winning, so the decision is easy to make because Leclerc is quite far back [in the championship].”
Leclerc is Ferrari’s protege, a homegrown talent that has produced results over the years.
But with Hamilton now seemingly heading towards his peak once again, the Scuderia will soon be forced to choose between their protege and star signing.
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