Herbert: Hamilton still in contention for F1 title
Herbert: Hamilton still in the game, but Ferrari must stop making mistakes
Former world champion points the finger at the lack of consistency of the SF-26 and the superiority of Mercedes reliability. Weekends like the one in Austria are expensive.
Lewis Hamilton is not out of the fight for the Formula 1 world title. This is what Johnny Herbert, former driver and now commentator, says, underlining how the Briton can still compete for the title despite Ferrari's difficulties. However, Herbert warns: the SF-26 must stop giving negative weekends like the one experienced in Austria, where strategic errors and lack of reliability weighed heavily.
Ferrari's problem is not only reliability, but also the ability to adapt to different racing conditions. In Austria, the SF-26 showed peaks of speed but paid dearly for poor tire management and pit stop strategies. These errors are not isolated: in Monaco and Spain the car struggled to maintain a constant pace, forcing the drivers to defend themselves rather than attack.
The difference with the Mercedes, however, is clear: the W12 has demonstrated an ability to maintain high performance without oscillations, even on technical circuits such as Silverstone or Budapest. Another key element is the psychological pressure on Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. After the Austrian disaster, both admitted they felt under scrutiny, at the risk of further compromising performance.
The SF-26, despite having speed potential, fails to convey confidence to its pilots, who struggle to push to the limit without making mistakes. This vicious circle risks widening the gap with Mercedes, which instead seems to have a more cohesive team and less subject to mental declines. Herbert's criticism focuses on the lack of consistency of the Maranello car, which struggles to maintain a competitive level on all tracks.
According to the former world champion, Mercedes guarantees greater reliability, a crucial element in a championship where details make the difference. "Ferrari must stop having weekends like the one in Austria. You can't afford to give away points like that," declared Herbert, highlighting how every strategic error translates into an unbridgeable gap in the standings.
The comparison between the two teams becomes even more stringent if we consider the current phase of the championship. Mercedes, with its reliability, has managed to maintain an important margin over its opponents, while Ferrari struggles through ups and downs. Herbert does not rule out that Hamilton could still fight for the title, but only if his team can guarantee consistent performances and avoid avoidable mistakes.
Herbert's words come at a delicate moment for Ferrari, which after the disastrous weekend in Austria must make up ground both on the track and in terms of confidence. The former driver underlines how the SF-26 must find a solution as soon as possible to the problems affecting the single-seater, especially in terms of reliability and race management. The pressure on Mattia Binotto is maximum: not only must he correct the technical defects, but also reassure a demoralized team, used to winning and now forced to fight for precious points.
The Austrian weekend highlighted another structural problem for Ferrari: the SF-26 struggles to handle variable race conditions, such as extreme temperatures or sudden changes in the weather. In Austria, the Spielberg track, with its fast corners and rapid temperature variations, highlighted all the single-seater's weaknesses. Mercedes, on the other hand, has demonstrated a superior ability to adapt, maintaining constant performance even in adverse conditions.
This technical gap risks becoming a determining factor in the next races, where weather conditions could play an even more decisive role. The SF-26 also suffers from a lack of consistency in tire management. While Mercedes manages to extract the maximum from the tires in every phase of the race, Ferrari alternates excellent performances with sudden drops, forcing the drivers to adopt conservative strategies.
This approach not only limits overtaking possibilities, but exposes the team to calculation errors that can cost them dearly. The difference is also evident in the telemetry data: the W12 maintains a more stable tire temperature, while the SF-26 fluctuates between peaks and falls, making it difficult to predict the behavior of the car. The reaction of the press and fans was immediate.
Many observers agree with Herbert: Ferrari cannot afford to give away points like in Austria, where a negative weekend cost them dearly in terms of the standings. At the same time, it is underlined that Hamilton, with his experience and the competitiveness of Mercedes, can still be a serious contender for the world title. The British press, in particular, has highlighted how the gap between the two teams is becoming increasingly evident, with Mercedes looking set to dominate if Ferrari does not reverse course.
What awaits us in the next races? Ferrari will have to demonstrate that they have resolved the problems that plagued the SF-26 in Austria, while Mercedes will look to consolidate their lead. The world championship is still open, but any mistake could be decisive.
The next round at Silverstone will be a crucial test: on this track, Mercedes has already demonstrated superiority, and a further defeat for Ferrari would risk making the championship a formality. Herbert closed his speech with a clear warning: "If Ferrari does not resolve these problems within the next three races, the gap with Mercedes will become unbridgeable. It is not just about speed, but about reliability and management. Read at FormulaPassion
Why this matters
Herbert highlights the gap between Ferrari and Mercedes in a championship where reliability is everything. The consistency of the SF-26 is the real test for the Maranello team, while Hamilton, with his experience, remains a formidable opponent. If Ferrari does not solve the tire management and strategy problems, the world championship risks becoming a formality for the German team. The risk is not only sporting, but also economic: a declining season could compromise future investments and the credibility of the brand.
Frequently asked
Who is Johnny Herbert and why are his words relevant?
Johnny Herbert is a former Formula 1 driver, winner of three Grands Prix and known for his career in teams such as Benetton and Sauber. His statements are relevant because they come from a driver who has experienced the dynamics of the championship firsthand and who now analyzes the situation with a critical eye.
What happened to Ferrari in Austria?
In Austria, Ferrari experienced a disastrous weekend, characterized by strategic errors and a lack of reliability. These problems weighed heavily on the ranking, giving valuable points to the competition.
Why is reliability so important in F1?
Reliability is crucial because every mistake or retirement can cost you valuable points in the standings. In a balanced championship, even a single negative weekend can compromise the chances of victory.
Is Hamilton still in contention for the world title?
According to Johnny Herbert, yes. The Briton is not excluded from the fight for the title, but only if Ferrari manages to guarantee consistent performances and avoid avoidable mistakes.
What is the gap between Ferrari and Mercedes?
The main gap is in reliability and race handling. Mercedes guarantees greater consistency, while Ferrari struggles to maintain a competitive level on all tracks, as demonstrated by the weekend in Austria.
What must Ferrari do to recover?
Ferrari must find a solution to the problems plaguing the SF-26 as soon as possible, especially in terms of reliability, tire management and pit stop strategies. Only in this way will he be able to fight for the world title again.
