Palmer: Ferrari risks discontent by backing one driver

Ferrari’s lack of pace matters more than the question of who gets priority, according to Jolyon Palmer. The former F1 driver warns that backing Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc could damage the relationship with the other.

GPBeat · Newsroom23 Sept 2026, 16:27 · 1 min

On 23 September, RacingNews365 quotes Palmer from the F1 Nation podcast. According to him, the discussion about giving Hamilton full backing from Silverstone onwards arose precisely because Ferrari was not quick enough. He also qualifies the strategic criticism: in his view, the team had little opportunity to use team orders on a large scale.

According to the outlet, the issue attracted attention after the Italian Grand Prix earlier that month. Leclerc forced Hamilton wide on the opening lap. Hamilton lost places after driving through the gravel and then asked why there were no rules governing battles between team-mates.

Palmer sees drawbacks to both choices. Leclerc could become alienated from the team if he has to help Hamilton. Giving Leclerc priority, by contrast, would upset Hamilton, according to Palmer, because he considers Hamilton to have the better chance of winning the title. These are anticipated reactions, not established positions held by the drivers.

If Ferrari can genuinely compete for the championship, it must revisit the discussion about team orders, according to Palmer.

Sources 01

SOURCEFerrari warned against decision that will 'alienate' driversRacingNews365 English · Source date as found: 2026-09-23T07:15:00+00:00 | RacingNews365 cites F1 Nation. The full podcast has not been listened to separately; the original episode date has not been independently established.

Source context

The sole source is RacingNews365, which cites F1 Nation. The original podcast episode has not been supplied or listened to separately; independent confirmation is lacking.

Claims and supporting evidence 5

On 23 September 2026, RacingNews365 quotes former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer from F1 Nation. According to Palmer, Ferrari must revisit the discussion about team orders when it can genuinely compete for the championship.

This finding from the source must be read within the stated scope and source context. Speaker, source chain and condition. Publication dated 23 September 2026; conditional future title prospects. An indirect account of the podcast, not a full transcript that has been independently checked.

[1]

According to RacingNews365, citing F1 Nation, Palmer sees a lack of pace as Ferrari's main problem. In his view, the discussion about backing Hamilton arose precisely because the team was not quick enough on its own merits.

This finding from the source must be read within the stated scope and source context. Palmer's assessment of Ferrari's pace. The 2026 season, with reference to the discussion from Silverstone onwards. Palmer's assessment of performance; the source provides no lap-time analysis that could independently establish the pace deficit.

[1]

Palmer also qualifies the strategic criticism: in his view, Ferrari has had little opportunity to use team orders on a large scale.

This finding from the source must be read within the stated scope and source context. Qualification of the criticism of the absence of team orders. The 2026 season up to the cited remarks. Palmer's assessment via RacingNews365; no review of individual races or decision points.

[1]

Palmer warns that backing Hamilton could alienate Leclerc from the team. Conversely, Hamilton would be upset if Leclerc were given priority, because Palmer considers Hamilton to have the better chance of winning the title.

This finding from the source must be read within the stated scope and source context. Expected consequences for the relationship between the drivers. A hypothetical choice to back one Ferrari driver. Palmer's expectation, according to RacingNews365, citing F1 Nation; not an established reaction from the drivers.

[1]

According to RacingNews365, the discussion arose after the Italian Grand Prix earlier that month: Leclerc forced Hamilton wide on the opening lap. Hamilton lost places through the gravel and asked why there were no internal rules governing battles between team-mates.

This finding from the source must be read within the stated scope and source context. The trigger for the discussion. Italian Grand Prix, September 2026. The course of the race and Hamilton's reaction have only been checked against this publication, not against footage or an original interview.

[1]

This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.