Lewis Hamilton sent a new report to Ferrari’s management demanding adjustments to track procedures, as revealed by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Monday (13) in Maranello, Italy. The seven-time champion, in his first full season with the team, expressed frustration with the slow implementation of suggestions and internal resistance affecting performance. The move comes amid a campaign without wins in main races or podiums for the Briton so far.
The publication highlights that Hamilton, with 109 points in the Drivers’ Championship, seeks greater influence over technical decisions but faces internal political barriers. In July, after the Belgian GP, he had already disclosed sending similar documents to discuss structure and car issues.
The 2025 season marks Hamilton’s full debut with Ferrari, with only a sprint race win in China, which doesn’t count in official statistics. With 18 races without a podium, the driver matches Didier Pironi’s negative record in the team’s history.
Technical challenges with SF-25
The report points to recurring difficulties in warming up the SF-25’s tires, Ferrari’s car this year, complicating performance in qualifying and races. This unresolved issue affects both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc against rivals like McLaren and Mercedes.
The car’s instability requires constant adjustments, and internal sources indicate Hamilton spent weeks at the factory analyzing data from previous races.
Tensions in team leadership
Frédéric Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, and Matteo Togninalli, track coordinator, had a heated discussion, per the newspaper, though the team denies the episode. Togninalli regained confidence from deputy director Jérôme D’Ambrosio and technical director Loïc Serra, but recent results refocus scrutiny on his work.
The pressure mounts with Ferrari third in the Constructors’ Championship, without full GP wins.
- The team prioritizes aerodynamic upgrades for the Hungarian GP, focusing on floor and rear wings.
- Tire temperature issues persist since the season’s start, impacting out-lap performance.
- Hamilton met with John Elkann, president, and Benedetto Vigna, CEO, to discuss the 2026 engine.
History of frustrations in Maranello
Drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso also faced hurdles at Ferrari over the past 20 years, without titles at the team, and Hamilton refuses to repeat this pattern. In July, he noted frequent factory visits for meetings with leaders, demanding improvements in front and rear suspension. The Briton sent three documents this year, addressing structural adjustments and specific issues with the current car. This persistence aims to align the team’s culture with efficiency standards seen in his stints at Mercedes and McLaren, where he won seven world titles.
Track strategies under scrutiny
Hamilton criticized rigid race strategies that limit quick reactions to unforeseen events, like pitlane delays cooling tires. In Baku, for instance, choosing medium compounds required extra warm-up laps, costing positions at the start. Ferrari, third in the teams’ standings, accumulates points but struggles with tire management, trailing the leaders.
The focus now shifts to the United States GP, where SF-25 upgrades may test the champion’s demands.
Behind-the-scenes of internal meetings
Meetings called by Hamilton included discussions on the 2026 engine and recurring car balance issues. He analyzed past GP performances, identifying efficiency gaps costing tenths per lap. The disconnect between Maranello simulations and real results worsens the situation, with the driver proposing greater department integration.
Pressure for future upgrades
Ferrari plans chassis reinforcements for the season’s end, with no major SF-25 updates left. Loïc Serra, the new technical director, influences pull-rod suspension changes to optimize tire temperatures in single laps. These tweaks aim to address weaknesses seen since Australia, where Hamilton finished outside the top 5 in his debut.
Negative records and ambitions
With 18 races without a podium, Hamilton ties the worst streak for a Ferrari driver, surpassing Kimi Räikkönen’s sequences. Still, he scores more points than in similar Mercedes phases in 2024, showing gradual adaptation. The team, 14 points behind the constructors’ vice-leader, relies on consistency to end the year strongly.