Two-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has thrown his support behind Lewis Hamilton, saying he hopes the seven-time champion can mount a genuine title challenge in the second half of the 2026 season.
As reported by GPblog, Hamilton currently sits second in the drivers’ standings with 169 points, trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes by 50 points. George Russell, Antonelli’s teammate, is nine points further back in third on 160 points. Charles Leclerc sits fourth for Ferrari on 138 points.
Fittipaldi’s Call for a Hamilton-Ferrari Surge
Speaking to F1.com, the Brazilian legend expressed a strong desire to see Hamilton and Ferrari step up their challenge against the dominant Mercedes outfit. The wish is simple. Fittipaldi said he genuinely hoped Hamilton would battle for the championship, adding that it would be great to see Ferrari push harder and go wheel-to-wheel with Mercedes in the months ahead.
Fittipaldi has previously drawn a personal connection to Hamilton’s situation. GPblog noted he could relate to the Briton after being labelled too old himself during his own career spanning both F1 and IndyCar.
Respect for Vasseur at Ferrari’s Helm
Fittipaldi also took the opportunity to praise Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur. He noted strong personal respect for Vasseur, recalling their working relationship when Fittipaldi owned A1 Team Brazil in the A1 Grand Prix series. Vasseur’s ART Grand Prix outfit ran that team. Fittipaldi described him as a top-level operator who now knows the Italian environment well, which bodes positively for Ferrari’s second-half push.
Boutsen Adds His Voice for Ferrari
Former F1 driver Thierry Boutsen echoed the sentiment. He said he would like to see Ferrari competing at the front more consistently, arguing the team deserves it given the work invested in their recent recovery. Boutsen, who is Monegasque like Leclerc, added he would love to see Leclerc take victories. His broader wish, though, was simply for competitive, safe racing throughout the remainder of the campaign.
Hamilton’s Position Heading Into the Season’s Back Half
Hamilton joined Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, a move that generated enormous attention. The experiment is bearing fruit. The 2026 standings show the Briton firmly in championship contention as the grid heads into the season’s second half. Antonelli, however, holds a commanding 50-point advantage at the top.
Whether Ferrari can close that gap and give Hamilton a genuine shot at a record-extending eighth title will define the rest of the year.
