Hamilton urges Ferrari to 'apply pressure' to Antonelli in title battle

Kimi Antonelli leads Lewis Hamilton by 50 points at the top of the Drivers' Championship; Hamilton is chasing a record eighth title; watch Dutch Grand Prix practice live on Sky Sports F1 at 11.30am on Friday, with Sprint Qualifying following at 3.30pm

Lewis Hamilton has urged his Ferrari team to "apply the pressure" to title rival Kimi Antonelli as he seeks to chase down the Mercedes driver in the championship battle.

The 2026 Formula 1 season resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend following the sport's summer break, with Antonelli leading Hamilton by 50 points at the top of the standings.

There is a huge gap in experience between the pair, with the 41-year-old Hamilton chasing a record eighth drivers' title, while Antonelli, who turns 20 two days after Sunday's race in Zandvoort, is seeking a maiden championship in just his second F1 campaign.

Hamilton said: "There are pros and cons to it. He's obviously very fast. He's doing an amazing job.

"When you are 19 you don't really have much else going on in your life really, so you don't have many other pressures. I remember when I was that age and things are relatively easier in life, I would say.

"Nonetheless, it's not saying he hasn't still got a hard job ahead of him, but he's been doing great.

"I'm not really looking at any weaknesses because I don't think he has shown any this season. I think we've got to just work hard to just continue to apply the pressure."

Mercedes generally had a faster car than Ferrari over the opening 11 rounds of the season, but Hamilton is hoping more upgrades from the Italian team, some of which will be available in Zandvoort, can aid his cause.

"Hopefully we are going to continue to progress in development," Hamilton said.

"The team are working really hard. We've got our first little step this weekend which I'm really grateful for because they are under a huge amount of pressure to continue to bring parts, as every team is.

"But we are going in the right direction with the car. Obviously, Mercedes are still the leaders. McLaren are now up in there and obviously Red Bull are now super quick so there are four teams that are all very close.

"But we just focus on doing our job the best we can. I think we can do a better job in the second half, so that's our goal."

Zandvoort is one of just four circuits on F1's 2026 calendar that Hamilton hasn't previously won at.