James Hinchcliffe explains why Ferrari is "happy" with Lewis Hamilton-Charles Leclerc rivalry

Ferrari is handling the growing internal rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc with confidence, according to former IndyCar driver and F1 analyst James Hinchcliffe. Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hinchcliffe said Ferrari expected a competitive dynamic when it signed Hamilton, a seven-time champion. He noted Hamilton struggled in his first Ferrari season in 2025, but rebounded in 2026 after adapting to the team and the new regulations package. Hamilton recorded his first grand prix podium with Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix and his first win at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. In the standings, Hamilton is third with 191 points, 101 behind leader Kimi Antonelli, while Leclerc is fifth with 167. Hinchcliffe suggested Ferrari sees the rivalry as a way to push car development, though it may bring tough conversations later.