Jacques Villeneuve thinks Lewis Hamilton’s only realistic route back into a title fight in 2026 may come from trouble inside Mercedes’ own garage. The former world champion said Hamilton can lean on George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli racing each other hard, going off, or running into issues, then make the most of the points that fall his way.
The timing of that view is obvious. Hamilton has just put together his best run of results in 23 months, with back-to-back second-place finishes in Canada and Monaco, and those were his best results for Ferrari. He was also the second-fastest driver in Monaco behind Antonelli, whose run now stands at five consecutive Grand Prix victories and has lifted him to 156 points after the first six of 22 rounds.
Hamilton is still 66 points behind Antonelli on 90 points, so Villeneuve’s point lands as a reality check as much as praise. The 41-year-old said Hamilton has had two amazing races, but it still was not enough to beat Mercedes in a straight fight. He added that Ferrari are not far off, which is why the results look better than they did a few races ago, but not close enough yet to suggest Hamilton can simply outdrive the benchmark on pace alone.
Villeneuve’s read on Antonelli was equally blunt. He said the 19-year-old is on top of the world, driving like it and believing it, while also having the luck of a world champion. The key, in Villeneuve’s view, is that one mistake or one setback could change the mood quickly and plant doubt. That is the opening Hamilton would need, because the Canadian was clear that a straight fight with Mercedes still would not be enough.
For Hamilton, the equation is simple and unforgiving. He can point to Canada, where he fought Max Verstappen for second, and to Monaco, where he was the runner-up again, but Antonelli goes to Barcelona next chasing a sixth straight win and the points gap remains large. If Hamilton is going to turn this late surge into something bigger, he needs the front of the field to wobble in the same races he keeps finishing near the top.
