If there’s a ruthless political storm brewing within Ferrari, Sky F1 pundit Jacques Villeneuve is more than happy to fan the flames.
Following Lewis Hamilton’s masterclass victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix – his first with the Italian squad – the power dynamics inside the Italian outfit appear to be decisively shifted.
While Hamilton works to bridge the gap to championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli, his teammate Charles Leclerc is watching his crown-prince status inside Maranello slowly being eroded.
Leclerc’s back-to-back retirements in Monaco and Spain have dropped him 30 points adrift of the resurgent Briton. For Villeneuve, Hamilton's sudden momentum exposes a fatal, long-standing flaw in Leclerc’s entire tenure at Ferrari.
The illusion of Maranello’s golden boy
While Ferrari gave Leclerc a massive contract extension ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Villeneuve argues that the Monegasque has treated the garage as a comfortable luxury rather than a territory to be conquered.
The Canadian believes Leclerc’s entire reputation was built on a soft foundation.
"Leclerc had time to build the team around him and he didn't," Villeneuve told 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?"
©Ferrari
Villeneuve did not hold back on how Leclerc’s early success was amplified by lowered expectations within the Scuderia.
"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."
Read also: Villeneuve slams ‘very disappointing’ Russell after Barcelona defeatAccording to the 1997 F1 world champion, Hamilton’s initial adaptation struggles last year lulled Leclerc into a false sense of security.
"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," Villeneuve explained.
"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 to make a choice
With the 2026 title fight rapidly intensifying, Villeneuve claims that sentimental loyalty to Leclerc will actively cost Ferrari the championship. If Maranello wants to dethrone Mercedes, any internal politics must end immediately, and all resources must pivot toward 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," Villeneuve added, drawing a sharp contrast with the paralyzed driver management over at Brackley.
©Ferrari
"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].”
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook
Villeneuve blasts Leclerc as Hamilton takes control at Ferrari F1i.com.
Hence then, the article about villeneuve blasts leclerc as hamilton takes control at ferrari was published today ( ) and is available on F1 News ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Villeneuve blasts Leclerc as Hamilton takes control at Ferrari )
Also on site :
- Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford and Jude Bellingham's glamorous WAGs in stands for England's World Cup win
- What Is Synodality? Pope Leo Has a Chance to Clarify It
- IPL 2027 to be preponed due to weather concerns but no extra matches next season, says BCCI secretary