Nelson Piquet Jr has claimed Lewis Hamilton is now clearly playing second fiddle at Ferrari, four months into the seven-time champion’s first season with the Scuderia.
The exact context of Piquet Jr’s comments — whether made in media interviews, on social platforms, or elsewhere — remains unspecified, but the former F1 and Formula E driver has weighed in on Hamilton’s status within the Italian team.
Hamilton’s 2026 Ferrari Stint
Hamilton joined Ferrari from Mercedes at the start of 2026, partnering Charles Leclerc in what was billed as one of the sport’s most compelling driver pairings. The Briton’s move to Maranello after 12 seasons at Mercedes — and six before that at McLaren — marked the final chapter of his storied career.
Leclerc has been Ferrari’s de facto lead driver since 2019, securing pole positions and race wins while building the team around his feedback and development direction. Hamilton’s arrival was meant to bring championship-winning experience to a squad that last took a drivers’ title in 2007.
Piquet Jr’s Perspective
Piquet Jr, who raced in F1 for Renault between 2008 and 2009 before a successful Formula E career, has offered opinions on the current grid in recent years. His characterization of Hamilton as Ferrari’s number two suggests the team hierarchy has solidified in Leclerc’s favor, though no official team statements or performance data have been cited to support the claim.
Ferrari has not publicly designated a number one driver for 2026, maintaining its usual position that both drivers are free to race. How the internal dynamic actually plays out — in strategy calls, development priority, or race situations — is typically visible only over the course of a full season.
The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix takes place this weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where Ferrari’s pace and any strategic choices between its drivers will be closely scrutinized.