On Sunday, June 29, 2025, Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula 1 world champion, stunned fans by admitting after the Austrian GP that McLaren is out of reach for the current season. Speaking at a press conference at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, the Ferrari driver stressed the need for the Italian team to focus on developing the car for 2026, when a new technical regulation takes effect. The statement came after Ferrari secured third and fourth places in the race, with Charles Leclerc and Hamilton, but failed to challenge McLaren’s one-two finish led by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The Briton, preparing for the Silverstone GP from July 4-6, called for a full focus on the next season while seeking short-term solutions for 2025.
Ferrari showed progress in Austria, with upgrades that solidified them as the second-strongest team. Still, Hamilton was blunt about the gap to McLaren, which dominated the race. The Italian team, he said, must look to the future to become a frontrunner in 2026.
- Key points from Hamilton’s statement:
- McLaren is untouchable in the 2025 season.
- Ferrari should prioritize the 2026 car.
- Updates for 2025 are needed but secondary.
The 2025 Formula 1 season reflects a fierce competition, with McLaren leading the pack. Ferrari, despite progress, struggles to match their pace as the season nears its midpoint.
Now onto round 12 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/EBF7rtayrS
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) June 30, 2025
Ferrari’s performance in Austria
The Red Bull Ring race marked a consolidation moment for Ferrari. Upgrades to the car allowed Leclerc and Hamilton to hold a solid pace, finishing third and fourth, respectively. McLaren, however, showcased superiority, with Norris and Piastri leading from the early laps.
Hamilton noted that, despite progress, the gap to the leaders remains significant. He mentioned Ferrari finished over a minute behind the winners, a gap that, while better than in previous races, isn’t enough to fight for wins. The driver emphasized the need for fine-tuning the current car but without shifting focus from the 2026 project.
The Austrian performance also revealed positives. Ferrari established itself as the second force, outpacing rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes, which struggled on the track. This progress, analysts say, stems from ongoing development work, though it’s still not enough to challenge McLaren.
Preparing for Silverstone
Ferrari’s next challenge is the Silverstone GP, one of Formula 1’s most iconic races. Hamilton, an eight-time winner at the track, showed little optimism for the event. When asked about the chance of a standout result, he replied simply, “I doubt it.”
The British circuit, known for its high-speed corners, demands a car with excellent aerodynamics and stability. Ferrari plans to introduce minor upgrades for the race, but Hamilton cautioned that they won’t close the gap to McLaren.
- Silverstone expectations:
- Maintain consistency as the second force.
- Test new car upgrades.
- Reduce the time gap to the leaders.
- Leverage Hamilton’s track experience.
Silverstone will also be a chance for Ferrari to assess progress in different conditions from Austria. The track’s unpredictable weather could open opportunities for bold strategies, something Hamilton and Leclerc have capitalized on in the past.
2026 regulations
Hamilton’s main focus for the future is the 2026 regulation, which will bring major changes to Formula 1. The series will adopt new engines with a greater emphasis on sustainable fuels and chassis updates, including active suspension. These changes require teams to rethink their design philosophies, and Hamilton believes nailing these details will be critical.
Ferrari, according to the driver, is already allocating resources to the 2026 project. Engine development, in particular, is a priority, as energy efficiency will be a key differentiator. Hamilton stressed the need to ensure a solid car foundation, especially in suspension, which will play a central role in performance.
Other teams, like McLaren and Red Bull, are also working on 2026 cars, but Hamilton believes Ferrari has the potential to lead if it adopts the right approach. He emphasized the importance of anticipating trends and avoiding design mistakes that could hinder the season.
Current car challenges
Despite the 2026 focus, Hamilton isn’t ignoring 2025 needs. He noted that Ferrari’s current car has specific issues, particularly in race pace. The Briton is working with engineers to pinpoint and fix these flaws, though he acknowledges solutions may be limited by the current rules.
Aerodynamics is a major challenge. Ferrari struggles to maintain speed on long straights, where McLaren excels. Additionally, tire wear in long races has been a hurdle, impacting performance in the latter stages.
Hamilton also highlighted the need to improve his own performance. He admitted to needing adjustments in his driving style to extract the car’s maximum potential, especially on precision-demanding tracks like Silverstone.
2025 season competition
The 2025 Formula 1 season is defined by McLaren’s dominance. The British team has won most races so far, with Norris and Piastri forming a consistent duo. Ferrari stands out as the main challenger but lacks the same track speed.
Other teams, like Red Bull and Mercedes, are struggling to keep up. Red Bull, dominant in recent years, has faced reliability issues, while Mercedes is still seeking consistency after internal changes. This opens a window for Ferrari to solidify its position, but catching McLaren remains a tall order.
- Factors favoring McLaren:
- Superior aerodynamics in corners and straights.
- Well-executed pit-stop strategies.
- Consistency from drivers Norris and Piastri.
- Ongoing car development.
The intense competition underscores Ferrari’s need to focus on 2026 while not overlooking podium chances in 2025. Races like Silverstone and beyond will be key to gauging progress.
Ferrari’s development efforts
Ferrari is heavily investing in its 2026 setup. The team has expanded its technical department, hiring engineers specialized in aerodynamics and engines. The Maranello factory is also being upgraded to meet the new regulation’s demands.
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in 2025, has brought his expertise to the project. He’s actively involved in technical meetings, providing insights on car behavior and areas for improvement. His long-term goal is to help Ferrari build a car capable of dominating Formula 1.
Engine development is a critical focus. Ferrari has a strong history of competitive power units, but the 2026 rules demand greater hybrid system efficiency. The team is testing various configurations to ensure the engine is both powerful and reliable.
Driver outlook
Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, is also aligned with the 2026 focus. The Monegasque, who finished third in Austria, believes Ferrari is on the right track but acknowledges McLaren’s edge. Leclerc has shone with consistent podiums in 2025.
Hamilton, meanwhile, faces the challenge of adapting to Ferrari’s car. After years at Mercedes, he’s still fine-tuning his driving style, but his experience is proving valuable. He hopes to use races like Silverstone to show progress, despite the car’s limitations.
The Hamilton-Leclerc partnership is a Ferrari strength. Their complementary skills—Hamilton’s experience and Leclerc’s speed in qualifying—could be decisive in 2026.
Formula 1 schedule
The 2025 Formula 1 season is at its 12th round with the Silverstone GP. After the UK race, the series heads to tracks like Hungaroring, Spa-Francorchamps, and Monza before the August break. Each race is a chance for Ferrari to test upgrades and gain ground.
The tight schedule demands teams balance current car development with 2026 projects. Ferrari, per Hamilton, is prioritizing the future but still chasing results in 2025. Tracks like Monza could offer win opportunities.
- Upcoming races:
- Silverstone: July 4-6.
- Hungaroring: July 18-20.
- Spa-Francorchamps: July 25-27.
- Monza: August 29-31.
The rest of the season will be pivotal for Ferrari to lock in its position and lay groundwork for 2026. The team aims to use the final 2025 races to test concepts for the next car.
