Damon Hill warns Ferrari’s internal politics could undermine Hamilton

Damon Hill believes Ferrari must confront internal divisions if it is to make a serious title push in 2027, while giving Lewis Hamilton the backing his current form deserves.

The 1996 world champion questioned the appearance of calm after Hamilton and Charles Leclerc met privately in Brazil. Team principal Fred Vasseur had said the two drivers left the meeting joking together, but Hill argued that the public display did not settle the deeper issue.

Hill sees factions behind Ferrari’s public calm

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hill said Ferrari needed to resolve what he described as a political problem. In his view, people within the team are divided in their support, rather than pulling in the same direction.

Hill’s comments followed the recent triple-header. He did not accept Vasseur’s account of the drivers’ meeting as proof that the situation had been put right, instead pointing to what he sees as competing factions inside the Scuderia.

The concern is not simply the relationship between the two drivers. Hill’s assessment is that Ferrari needs to settle the internal question of where its loyalties lie if it is to build a unified effort around its title ambitions.

The wider Ferrari rivalry debate has also surfaced around the drivers. Leclerc has rejected the rivalry narrative after his clash with Hamilton at Monza.

Hamilton has rebuilt his competitive edge

Hill also highlighted Hamilton’s turnaround during 2026. The seven-time champion’s move to Ferrari had prompted doubts about how motivated he would be after years in uncompetitive machinery and the impact of the 2021 title decider in Abu Dhabi.

Hill said the defeat had left Hamilton deeply affected. But he believes the Briton has since recovered his competitive footing, describing his performances this year as stronger than he had expected.

That revival makes Ferrari’s internal choices more pressing in Hill’s view: Hamilton has shown he can deliver, and the team must avoid allowing political divisions to blunt that progress. The driver’s own description of the Ferrari SF-26 as a fresh start reflects the reset Hill believes has taken hold.

Hill’s message is clear: Ferrari should back a resurgent Hamilton, but a 2027 title challenge will also depend on resolving the factional tensions he believes remain inside the team.