F1 fans now believe Lewis Hamilton will replicate Ferrari feat that only Carlos Sainz has managed

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Formula 1 fans have had their say on which Ferrari F1 driver will finish higher in the 2026 drivers’ championship, and the prediction bodes very well for Lewis Hamilton.

After a disappointing maiden year in red, Lewis Hamilton has arrived in the 2026 F1 season with a vengeance.

The seven-time world champion looks to be in more optimistic spirits for the season ahead, with Hamilton playing a big part in the development of Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car.

• READ MORE: F1 fans choose who they think will win the 2026 title with Lando Norris receiving just 4% of votes

In a TalkingPoints poll run by F1 Oversteer, we asked F1 fans from around the world to cast their vote on who they think will take the bragging rights back to Maranello following the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton received nearly double the amount of votes as Charles Leclerc, with the Briton being backed by 64% of TalkingPoints users in the poll.

The poll is still open for votes, so if you disagree with the results, be sure to make your voice heard below!

Fans are adamant that Lewis Hamilton will finish higher than Charles Leclerc in the 2026 F1 standings

Some keen fans also shared their reasoning as to why they opted for the 41-year-old over Leclerc, who has only been beaten by a Ferrari teammate once.

Carlos Sainz managed to get the better of the Monegasque during his first season at the Scuderia in 2021, and it currently remains the only instance in which Leclerc has been bested by a teammate over the course of his nine-year career in F1.

One fan highlighted Hamilton’s strong final stint at the Australian Grand Prix as the reason why he chose the 105-time Grand Prix winner, commenting, “If you base it on the last stint of the Australian Grand Prix, then there’s no reason Lewis can’t beat Charles. He was rapid.”

Another fan agreed, adding, “Lewis will finish ahead, and it won’t be close. He was faster all race in Australia.”

Hamilton’s performance in qualifying also drew some attention, with one TalkingPoints user commenting, “In these smaller cars, Lewis looks more like 2020. He looked really good in quali before the engine mapping issue both cars had in Q3.”

Leclerc’s inconsistency in the Grand Prix format has hindered him in the past, and one fan believes this will be his downfall. They commented, “You have to remember Hamilton is the king of consistency in a decent car.

“He may not win the races, but he might position highly to place higher over the whole year.”

Another user wrote, “I do like Charles and think he’s one of the best on the grid, but comfortable Lewis in a good car has proven to be nigh unbeatable.”

Having a seven-time world champion as your teammate isn’t for everybody, and this fan thinks Leclerc will succumb to the pressure of Hamilton’s stature. They commented, “Lewis is going to make Charles’ life difficult this season, and Charles is likely feeling the pressure already.”

• READ MORE:

Will Lewis Hamilton score over/under five podiums in 2026?

Or exactly five? Let us know in the comments!

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David Croft agrees with F1 fans’ verdict on the teammate battle at Ferrari in 2026

Hamilton has also received backing from several figures within the F1 paddock over his battle with Leclerc in the current campaign.

Commentator David Croft is adamant that Hamilton can beat Leclerc, citing the 41-year-old as the ‘GOAT’ and highlighting his input into Ferrari’s development direction this year.

Many have also noticed his rejuvenation over the winter break, too. Former F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya noted Hamilton’s new level of competitiveness after watching the Briton hunt down his Ferrari counterpart in the dying stages of the Australian GP.

While he was unable to get Leclerc on that occasion, there will be plenty more opportunities to stamp his authority in the Ferrari garages.