Former F1 world champion Damon Hill is shocked at how well Lewis Hamilton has performed this season and wants him to be the number one driver for Ferrari ahead of Charles Leclerc.

Despite finishing ninth at the Sao Paulo GP after starting at the back of the grid, Hamilton remains fourth in the drivers' standings, one point behind Mercedes George Russell and 18 shy of Red Bull's Max Verstappen ahead of the final three races.

Hamilton claimed his first victory for Ferrari at the Barcelona GP in June to reignite hope he could contend for a record eighth world title, but while his chance went up in smoke, the 41-year-old has still enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance in 2026 after a challenging few years.

Damon Hill surprised by how well Lewis Hamilton has performed in 2026

Having infamously departed Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025 after winning six of his seven world titles with them, the Briton's start to life with the Scuderia team was incredibly difficult.

He was outperformed by Charles Leclerc last season, finishing sixth, 86 points behind his teammate in fifth, while recording zero podiums for the first time in his F1 career.

Hamilton appeared to be on the decline, but has since returned to form this year and is currently 12 points above Leclerc in the standings, with 1996 champion Damon Hill expressing his surprise at how well he has performed when he thought it was going to be a "very difficult" year.

"I think there's a gravitas that Lewis has. I mean, don't forget what he was like last year. He was crushed," Hill said on the Sky Sports F1 show.

"He's been crushed since Abu Dhabi, in effect, you know, in 2021. He's been fighting his way back. He's performed incredibly well this year, much better than I thought, considering I thought it was going to be very difficult, but he's rebuilt himself.

"He is an extraordinary individual. And I think he has, and he's got pole positions and won races this year in a Ferrari. Who would have said that was possible last year?"

"And I think we need to settle this in the team because there's a political problem in that team. For me, it seems like there's factions within the team that are shooting for one side or the other.

"You can't have that if you're going to be an effective competitor against the Red Bulls, McLaren and Mercedes."

The 66-year-old then went on to say claim that his performances this season are all the more impressive after dealing with "fractions" inside the team, showcased by Ferrari's reaction to Leclerc pushing Hamilton off the track at the Mexico City GP.

"And I think we need to settle this in the team because there's a political problem in that team," he continued. "For me, it seems like there's factions within the team that are shooting for one side or the other.

"You can't have that if you're going to be an effective competitor against the Red Bulls, McLaren and Mercedes."

Damon Hill wants Lewis Hamilton to be number one driver

Ferrari's handling of their drivers came under increasing scrutiny in Mexico, when Leclerc's overly aggressive approach towards Hamilton arguably cost the team a one-two.

Hamilton couldn't hide his anger after the race, accusing his teammate of "working against him" and then doubled down on his criticism ahead of the Sao Paulo GP.

The seven-time world champion has since revealed that the beef has been "quashed", but further issues will continue to emerge when there are no written rules of engagement in place, which would prevent teammates from working against each other.

When discussing the toxic dynamic at Ferrari, Hill urged Ferrari to make Hamilton the number one driver, predicting he would 'deliver' if they 'back him 100%' in a post on X.

Hill has since doubled down on his claim, telling Sky Sports: "So, you have to make a decision as a team principal how you're going to enter into the fray. And I think it makes sense to me to put all your eggs behind Lewis.

"You've got him there anyway. You've gone through all the pain and the investment to get him there. It would be a huge story, clearly. His eighth world title is just sitting there.

"Now Charles might say, well, this is totally unfair, you know, I've been here longer. But yes, you have been there longer, but look at the results.

"Lewis has got a valid point, which is he's there to make them win as a team, not just be a Ferrari driver."

Unfortunately for Hamilton, it was written his contract when he signed with Ferrari that he had to share number one driving duties with Leclerc. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed in September that both are treated like the number one driver, and this is unlikely to change.