Villeneuve: Ferrari must prioritise Hamilton over Leclerc now

Lewis Hamilton's first Formula 1 victory as a Ferrari driver has sparked debate over the team's championship strategy, with 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve insisting the Scuderia should now back the seven-time champion over Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton continued his strong run of form by winning the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona after already securing back-to-back second-place finishes in Monaco and Canada. The result strengthened his position in the championship and increased his advantage over teammate Leclerc to 40 points after the Monegasque retired for the second race in a row.

The recent performances mark a major turnaround within Ferrari. While Leclerc had the upper hand during much of their first season together, Hamilton has found his rhythm with the current generation of cars and has gradually established himself as the team's leading contender.

Villeneuve believes Ferrari has little choice but to prioritise Hamilton's title hopes.

"Lewis knows how to win, and he knows what it takes. And if he gets a sniff of it, there won't be any quarters. "I think that's where he can make the difference," the Canadian said on Sky Sports' The F1 Show podcast.

"Mercedes right now are not in a position to be even able or allowed to choose a driver over another. Ferrari is because Ferrari has to focus on Lewis if they want a small chance of winning. The decision is easy to make because Leclerc is quite far back in the championship," Villeneuve added.

Hamilton currently sits second in the drivers' standings, 41 points behind championship leader Antonelli, while Leclerc faces an increasingly difficult task to rejoin the title fight.

Villeneuve also argued that Leclerc has had enough time to establish himself as Ferrari's undisputed leader but failed to do so, leaving the door open for Hamilton to take control.

"Leclerc had time to build the team around him and he didn't. Bear in mind how he came into Ferrari was after an average season at Sauber and suddenly giving the huge mega contract, like a world champion contract. Maybe too much too soon? He's never really had to build anything around him. It was given, it was there. He was quick and that was plenty because the perception was, that's a car that cannot win a championship anyway. You win a few races, you beat your team-mate, which was Vettel. Everybody was happy," Villeneuve continued.

"Suddenly in comes Lewis last year, who's not having a great season. He's really having a hard time with the car, the team, it takes time to build this around yourself, so Leclerc is quite happy. He's looking good next to Lewis But the minute Lewis woke up, the minute Lewis made that car and that team his own and he's going for it and doesn't leave any quarter, Leclerc is not prepared for that," the 1997 World Champion concluded.