Ferrari warned against decision that will 'alienate' drivers

Ferrari has been warned that the decision to introduce team orders could result in one of the drivers feeling alienated from the team.

The topic arose after the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month, in which Lewis Hamilton was pushed wide by Charles Leclerc on the opening lap.

Hamilton dropped down the order after running through the gravel and then questioned why there were no rules of engagement present at the team.

It came at a time when Ferrari was hoping to close down Mercedes in the championship standings, with the Brackley-based squad since going on to augment its advantage.

Hamilton insisted at the time that the call to back one of its drivers in the title fight had passed by.

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer thinks it's a topic that the team will have to revisit in the future if it gets into a championship-contending position.

“It's something they'll look at,” Palmer said. “It's come up so much in in the last in the last race or two, hasn't it? 

“But I was looking through it, and they just haven't had the pace. 

“You say from Silverstone, and we were talking about do they try and put team orders in? Do they throw everything behind Hamilton? 

“That conversation was all because they didn't have the pace. 

“So then you have to try and work yourself an opportunity - because if you just play it out normally, you're not going to win. 

“They have played it out normally. They've not had a chance to really implement team orders to any great extent, either, but they just don't have the pace.”

Hamilton currently sits third in the drivers' championship as the leading Ferrari contender, but is a mammoth 101 points down on Kimi Antonelli.

However, Palmer is unconvinced that Hamilton ever had a true shot at the title this year.

“If Hamilton had five clean weekends, pretty well optimising, he could have had 39 more points where he'd so he'd be 62 off Antonelli,” he said.

“I still think even from that far back it is too tall an order to come back on a guy that's absolutely flying. He's won three of the last five races.”

As Ferrari look to enjoy a more competitive campaign in 2027, Palmer warned that the team will risk hurting team harmony.

“If you're winning, then you can talk about team orders. You can talk about throwing away a championship. 

“I think for Fred, he's trying to keep his two drivers happy. 

“He's going to alienate Charles if he gets Charles to back Lewis. If he goes the other way, then Lewis is going to be miffed because he's got a better chance of being champion.

“So it is a tricky spot that Fred is in.”