Hill: Ferrari should give Hamilton full support next year

Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill said Ferrari should give full support to its teammate Lewis Hamilton to protect its chances of winning the drivers' championship next year. Hill described Hamilton as an "outstanding" driver and said he could succeed if the team backs him.

Ferrari's approach to its drivers has come under greater scrutiny since a first-lap collision at the Mexico Grand Prix. Hamilton, who started from pole and led until the first corner, clashed with Leclerc, who was running second. The incident cost Ferrari a likely 1-2 finish. Max Verstappen won the race. After the race, Hamilton criticised Leclerc's approach as too aggressive. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also expressed his discomfort with the incident.

The seven-time world champion Hamilton said that his problems with Leclerc were resolved after a meeting during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Hill, for his part, had written on social media after the Mexico race that Ferrari should make Hamilton its first driver for the 2027 season. Hill said, "Lewis, if Ferrari fully backs him, he will make it happen."

On Sky Sports' The F1 Show, Hill pointed to the team's investment in Hamilton. The former champion justified his view by noting that Ferrari had signed Hamilton and that he is one of the biggest names in the sport.