Lewis Hamilton told secret to launching challenge to Mercedes for F1 title

Lewis Hamilton has been told by Jacaeus Villeneuve of the two ways he can expect to be an unlikely contender for the 2026 F1 title.

After six races, Hamilton is second in the drivers' championship on 90 points, his best start to a season since 2021, and the first time he has been this high in the standings since after the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP.

He is 66 points behind runaway Mercedes leader Kimi Antonelli, and now two points ahead of the second Silver Arrow of George Russell, with Ferrari appearing to have the second-best car in F1 amid McLaren and Red Bull's ongoing woes.

Whilst Hamilton has not yet claimed a grand prix victory in 2026, 1997 champion Villeneuve believes that if the Mercedes continue their intra-team fight and Hamilton remains there to put pressure on the two drivers, there is a chance to "make the difference" and possibly challenge for what would be his record-breaking eighth F1 world title.

"Lewis has had two amazing races, but it still wasn't enough to beat Mercedes in a straight fight," Villeneuve told Sky Sports F1.

"But what he can rely on is Russell fighting Antonelli, both going off or that creating some issues and beating them, and then getting the points, that's what he can rely on. 

"Right now, he's on a roll, he's in a good place, he feels good, his car is working well, he's aggressive, and he's getting the points. 

"Ferrari needs a little bit, because they're not far off, and you just need to start putting pressure on the driver from them to start maybe making mistakes, not driving in the zone and losing a tenth or two a lap.

"That's enough to make the difference, and you start questioning your driving, and that's it. 

"Right now, Antonelli, he's on top of the world, and he's driving like it, and he believes it, he's got the world champion luck, and everything is going his way. 

"It just takes one thing to go wrong, and maybe start doubting, and then it's in a wrong spin."