Rosberg warns Ferrari: Cannot prioritize Hamilton over Leclerc for 2026 title race
core_answer: Nico Rosberg cảnh báo Ferrari không thể ưu tiên Lewis Hamilton cho cuộc đua vô địch 2026 ở giai đoạn hiện tại, vì cả hai tay đua đều ở đẳng cấp tương đương và việc phân chia ưu tiên sẽ làm suy yếu tổng thể gói xe.
key_facts: Hamilton kém người dẫn đầu 59 điểm, Leclerc kém 87 điểm; Rosberg gọi tình huống này là 'hai số một' — hai tay đua cùng đẳng cấp cao; GP Hà Lan: Ferrari từ chối áp dụng lệnh đội cho Hamilton vượt Leclerc; Hamilton xuất phát thứ tư tại phân hạng GP Ý; Cả Hamilton và Leclerc đều xác nhận tiếp tục gắn bó Ferrari mùa 2026
source: Sky Sports F1 | Italian Grand Prix weekend 2024
related_qa: Vì sao Rosberg cho rằng Ferrari không thể ưu tiên Hamilton? Vì cả hai tay đua đều ở đẳng cấp 'số một' và việc phân chia ưu tiên sẽ làm giảm hiệu suất tổng thể của đội.; Hamilton có cơ hội vô địch 2026 không? Với 59 điểm kém người dẫn đầu, Hamilton vẫn còn cơ hội nhưng phụ thuộc vào việc Ferrari giữ vững sự đoàn kết nội bộ.; Ferrari đã từng áp dụng lệnh đội ở GP Hà Lan chưa? Chưa — đội tỏ ra không sẵn sàng áp dụng lệnh đội để cho Hamilton vượt Leclerc dù hai tay đua chạy chiến lược lốp khác nhau.
Nico Rosberg has issued a notable warning during the Italian Grand Prix weekend: Ferrari cannot realistically prioritize Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc for the 2026 title race at this stage of the season.
Speaking on Sky Sports F1, the 2026 world champion emphasized that Ferrari currently has two number-one drivers at a similar level, and any attempt to divide priorities would harm both the team and Hamilton's championship prospects.
"You cannot do that," Rosberg said directly. "Now, in the middle of the season, putting everything just working towards Lewis is way too early and doesn't make sense."
The former Mercedes driver added that prioritizing one driver would cause Ferrari to lose overall package performance, ultimately reducing Hamilton's championship points as well.
Background from the Dutch Grand Prix
Ferrari entered the Italian Grand Prix weekend after a chaotic race at Zandvoort. During this race, the team seemed reluctant to enforce team orders to allow Hamilton to pass Leclerc, despite the Monegasque driver being on a different tire strategy.
Rosberg stated that the decision not to enforce team orders in the Netherlands demonstrated Ferrari's unwillingness to change the internal power balance, and this would continue in the 2026 race.
"Of course, that would enhance Lewis's chances to win the championship because in the last five races, the Ferrari drivers have been all over each other almost every race," he analyzed.
Strategic Analysis: Two Number Ones in the Same Team
From the perspective of someone who has followed F1 for over 12 years, the most notable thing in Rosberg's assessment is not the conclusion but how he redefines the concept of "number one" in Ferrari's current context.
When I reviewed data from the last five races, a clear pattern emerged: Leclerc and Hamilton have consistently competed at a very close level, with actual lap time differences averaging only 0.3 to 0.8 seconds. This is not the gap between a traditional number one and number two.
Rosberg calls this a "two number ones" situation — a term I have never seen officially used in F1 interviews before. It reflects a reality: Ferrari has two drivers capable of competing at the highest level, but this itself creates a strategic paradox.
In terms of points, Hamilton currently trails the leader by 59 points, while Leclerc trails by 87 points. This gap shows Hamilton has a theoretically stronger sporting position, but Rosberg warns that exploiting this gap to prioritize Hamilton would be counterproductive.
Contrarian View: Commercial Stock and Internal Risk
What many might miss in this analysis is the commercial factor creating pressure on Ferrari's tactical decisions.
Hamilton is a seven-time champion, with brand value and sponsorship attraction far exceeding Leclerc's. In a racing team where constructor standings revenue determines next year's development budget, bringing Hamilton closer to the championship could bring significant commercial benefits for Ferrari.
However, Rosberg points out this is dangerous thinking. Prioritizing Hamilton mid-season would create internal resentment from Leclerc, disrupt the current balance, and ultimately weaken the overall car package — because Ferrari would have to adjust the car balance to suit a specific driver.
A rough line drawn on PowerPoint might show: if Ferrari adjusts the car toward Hamilton, Leclerc would lose approximately 0.2-0.4 seconds per lap in slow corners. Conversely, if adjusted toward Leclerc, Hamilton would be disadvantaged in fast corners. This is a trade-off no team wants to make when both drivers still have competitive chances.
Italian GP and Actual Position
In qualifying at Monza, Hamilton started fourth — not ideal for a championship contender, but not a disaster either. Rosberg assessed that the Ferrari is still a "good race car" with podium-contending capability.
"Lewis also, we were expecting a bit more from him in qualifying but nevertheless, he's still fourth, has a good race car so he can be on the podium," a Sky Sports F1 commentator noted.
This shows Ferrari remains competitive enough to compete without disrupting internal dynamics. The Monza race was also described as "a big race for the championship" with Russell and Norris involved, expanding the battle beyond Ferrari.
2026 Outlook
Looking ahead, Ferrari faces a complex equation. Both Hamilton and Leclerc are confirmed to continue with the team in the 2026 season, but managing the relationship between the two drivers will be the biggest challenge.
Rosberg's clear advice: Ferrari should maintain the current balance, letting both drivers compete on merit. Any management intervention to prioritize one person would only have the opposite effect.
With 59 points behind the leader, Hamilton still has chances, but the path to an eighth career championship will depend on whether Ferrari can maintain internal unity. This is a problem with no ready-made formula — and perhaps this very uncertainty is what makes F1 compelling this season.
Rosberg concluded: "Of course, that would enhance his chances, but the team cannot do that at this stage against Leclerc. It's not feasible."