Nelson Piquet Jr explains why Lewis Hamilton is ‘naturally’ not Ferrari’s number one driver

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F1 pundit Nelson Piquet Jr has explained why Lewis Hamilton is clearly Ferrari’s number two behind Charles Leclerc, despite being the more experienced and successful driver at the team.

The driver hierarchy in an F1 team has been a topic of contention for decades now. Every driver on the grid wants to be prioritised by their own pit wall, but in the heat of battle, it’s easier said than done.

For Lewis Hamilton, he has spent the majority of his career as the number one driver, given his unbeatable form that led him to winning seven F1 world championships.

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However, since he arrived in Maranello last year, the Briton has struggled to regain his previously world-beating form, while Charles Leclerc has continued to excel in what can be described as sub-optimal machinery.

As such, the topic of Ferrari’s number one driver can be seen as some sort of grey area. However, Nelson Piquet Jr is adamant that there is only one clear answer.

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Nelson Piquet Jr explains why Lewis Hamilton is clearly not Ferrari’s number one driver

During a recent episode of the Pelas Pistas podcast, the topic of number one drivers cropped up, and the panel discussed their thoughts on the driver dynamic at Ferrari.

After being asked if he thinks both Leclerc and Hamilton hold an equal status at Maranello, the F1 driver answered definitively, saying, “No, Leclerc is number one, Hamilton number two.”

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The Brazilian was then reminded of Hamilton’s seven world titles in the sport, to which he doubled down on his verdict, adding, “Now he is number two. Leclerc is ahead of him 80% of the time.”

The next question was in reference to the Ferrari driver who should be the top priority for the Scuderia when it comes to upgrades.

“They’ll give it to the driver who’s leading the championship, the one who’s ahead in the standings between the two of them,” Piquet Jr said, before theorising, “Or they have a rule.

Whether it’s in Leclerc’s or Hamilton’s contract, you can’t have just one of each part. If an upgrade is coming to the track, there have to be two parts.

“If a driver damages his part, whether in practice, qualifying or whatever, he loses the advantage he had and that’s it, it’s over.”

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The former Renault driver then explained exactly why Leclerc is naturally Ferrari’s number one over the Briton.

“At Ferrari, there is a one and two, but naturally, they don’t need to worry about that because Leclerc is already playing the number one role. He usually qualifies at the front, and he finishes there. He’s the guy who’s been leading since last year.

“Last year, he won by a clear margin; this year, Hamilton has closed the gap a little, but Hamilton has been in Formula 1 for 20 years; he’s in his twilight years, so that’s only natural. Leclerc is at the peak of his career, and he’s performing better.

“Perhaps if Hamilton had joined six, seven or ten years earlier, the story might have been different, but today it isn’t. Still, he’s doing well, but he’s not on the same level as Leclerc.”