Former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley has suggested the team should consider prioritizing Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc to challenge for the 2026 drivers' championship.
Smedley made the comments after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Leclerc claimed victory there, marking his first win since 2024 and Ferrari's 250th Grand Prix success.
Current standings show Mercedes drivers leading the way. Kimi Antonelli holds 179 points, with teammate George Russell on 154. Hamilton is third with 147 points, while Leclerc sits fourth on 108.
Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast, Smedley said extreme team orders could be Ferrari's only realistic path to the title. He noted that allowing the drivers to race freely would reduce the team's chances against Mercedes.
