Lewis Hamilton has slipped to 22nd place on SportsPro's annual 'Most Marketable Athlete' list, with a marketability score of 66.63 out of 100, a significant drop from the 96.03 he received in 2025. The British driver, who was usually the highest-rated F1 star, has been overtaken by Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, who ranks ninth with a score of 71.12. This development could cost Hamilton millions if top F1 sponsors decide to pivot towards Leclerc based on the latest findings.
Hamilton still has a range of endorsers behind him, including Dior and Tommy Hilfiger, as well as Sony, Monster Energy and numerous other brands. However, this is the sixth consecutive season he has failed to win the elusive eighth world title and overtake Michael Schumacher in the process. His rivalry with Leclerc has caused multiple issues this season, prompting the Brit to take verbal swipes at the Monaco-born driver.
Ferrari issues unusual ban
Ferrari have taken exception to an article penned by the Daily Mail and banned their correspondent. The ban was issued after the newspaper's long-term motor racing correspondent wrote a feature in which he described Leclerc as a "sneaky little b******". The tone was intended to be tongue-in-cheek, but Ferrari are not laughing.
The reporter has been banned from attending the remaining races of the 2026 F1 campaign, which are the Las Vegas GP, the Qatari GP and the Abu Dhabi GP. The recent media coverage of Ferrari has not been entirely positive, with in-fighting between Leclerc and Hamilton following their quarrel at the Mexican GP keeping the team in headlines.
Both drivers have received criticism, as has team principal Frederick Vasseur. Hamilton has made progress, but the record-breaking eighth world title has eluded him once again, and his difficulties over the years are seemingly having a knock-on effect that could cost him millions.
