Former champion urges Ferrari to make Hamilton number one for 2027

The two former drivers made their cases on Sky Sports' The F1 Show after the triple-header that finished in Sao Paulo.

Hill, the 1996 world champion, described Hamilton as "extraordinary" and said Ferrari's investment in him should decide the matter. "They have invested all this in Lewis, they've got him on board, he is a massive name in the sport. And I think it makes sense to me to put all your eggs behind Lewis.

He also added that Ferrari needs to find a solution. "We need to settle this in the team, because there's a political problem in that team. For me, it seems like there are factions within the team that are shooting for one side or the other. You can't have that if you're going to be an effective competitor against the Red Bulls, McLaren and Mercedes."

Davidson did not accept that Hamilton should be handed priority. He compared the situation to Max Verstappen at Red Bull, where he said the leading role came from results on track rather than better equipment. "I think to a certain degree, you have to earn that status in the team," Davidson said.

"It was just every time he is unbeatable. And you earn that. You have to earn that status," the Briton continued.

The championship table gives neither side a clear win. After a difficult Sunday in Sao Paulo, where Hamilton started 20th following an engine change and finished ninth, he sits fourth on 261 points. Leclerc's five-second penalty after the race dropped him from seventh to eighth, which leaves him fifth on 249 points, 12 behind his teammate.