Former IndyCar and NASCAR star turned F1 pundit Danica Patrick has reportedly sparked a major debate in the Formula 1 community with a bold interview featuring a controversial comment about the dynamic between current Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton (who is in his final season with the team) and Charles Leclerc. Patrick’s comments go beyond simply analyzing the team’s dynamic, with some interpretations suggesting she was insinuating that the new Hamilton could inadvertently “sabotage” Ferrari’s current efforts.
While the context of Patrick’s interview and the exact wording of her comment remain open to interpretation, some sources suggest she was hinting at the potential destabilising effect Hamilton’s impending arrival in 2026 could have on the current Ferrari team. Given the recent radio communication issues and apparent tensions between Hamilton and Leclerc, Patrick’s comments could be interpreted as suggesting that focus and unity within Ferrari is being affected by the prospect of such a significant driver change.
Patrick, known for her outspoken opinions, may have highlighted a scenario where current team strategies and driver priorities are being influenced, consciously or unconsciously, by Hamilton’s arrival. This could manifest itself in subtle ways, affecting team decisions, resource allocation and even the psychological dynamics between Leclerc and the team, knowing that a seven-time world champion is waiting in the wings. The idea that a future driver could indirectly undermine a team’s current performance is provocative.
Reactions to Patrick’s comments were strong and mixed. Some fans and analysts shared his view, pointing to the team’s visible friction and recent struggles as possible signs of a problematic internal climate. Others criticized his comments as speculative and potentially inflammatory, arguing that it was unfair to suggest that Hamilton, who was not even officially part of the team yet, was somehow sabotaging the current season. Whatever the interpretation, Patrick’s bold interview undoubtedly added another layer of intrigue to the already complex narrative surrounding Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton’s impending arrival.
