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Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert were in agreement over what Lewis Hamilton has done ‘behind the scenes’ at Ferrari, which has played a role in his resurgence.
Hamilton, 41, endured a tough first season with the Scuderia as he ended the 2025 Formula 1 season without a podium finish and 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
However, in 2026, the seven-time world champion has rediscovered his form, having produced a series of impressive performances.
Following back-to-back P2 results in Canada and Monaco, Hamilton won the Barcelona Grand Prix, scoring his first victory as a Ferrari driver.
The Brit is now second in the world championship standings, 41 points behind Kimi Antonelli.
Lewis Hamilton is now only missing a Grand Prix pole position for Ferrari 🏆 Predict when it will come?
Damon Hill says Lewis Hamilton would have ‘banged a few heads’ at Ferrari in push for changes
Speaking on the latest episode of the Stay On Track podcast, Hill and Herbert agreed on what Hamilton has done ‘behind the scenes’ at Ferrari to initiate changes.
Hill, who won the F1 title in 1996, stated that Hamilton would have ‘banged the table’ and demanded changes in order for Ferrari to produce a car that suits his driving style.
He said: “Lewis Hamilton last year was down and out, wasn’t he? And then he’s gone away. I think he’s banged a few heads together at Ferrari, stood up for what he believes in, he’s banged the table, and he’s got what he wanted in the car.”
Herbert agreed, claiming that Hamilton would have had words ‘behind the scenes’ with Fred Vasseur.
The former Benetton and Sauber driver replied: “I think part of it is that I’m sure he’s had words behind the scenes with Fred to make the changes that he needs to make the team stronger.
“You look at the engineer, the relationship he seems to have now is exactly what enabled him to win the race. We go back a year; it was all a little disjointed.”
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Later in the podcast, Hill and Herbert again spoke about Hamilton and his ability to drive changes within Ferrari.
Hill claimed that Ferrari’s decision to ‘stand up for Lewis’ is now paying off while describing the 41-year-old as an ‘instinctive person’.
He said: “Something’s been going on at Ferrari to be able to stand up for Lewis, and it’s now paying off.
“And Lewis can stand up and go ‘I told you, you just had to listen to me, and now I’m delivering’. It’s incredible, the euphoria in that team now with Lewis winning.
“He’s doing it his way as he’s always insisted on. He is a very instinctive person, and I think he is more of an artistic driver; in other words, he knows in his guts what works for him.
“If he follows a different route, it doesn’t sit well with him, and we saw that last year.”
Herbert then added: “Ferrari, for many, many years, have always had a car and a team that should do better than what they were showing.
“It’s having someone who can pull the right ingredients, and it seems Lewis has that ability.”
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