Since joining Ferrari in 2025, Lewis Hamilton hasn’t just struggled on track, he’s also been busy off it.
The seven-time world champion has been crafting and sharing detailed feedback documents with Ferrari’s leadership, part of a broader effort to help the team improve and prepare for the 2026 car.
Hamilton Balances Ferrari Struggles With Behind-The-Scenes Leadership
At the Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton revealed he’s spent time at Ferrari’s Maranello factory in recent weeks. He has held sessions with top decision-makers, including Chairman John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna, team principal Fred Vasseur, and technical director Loïc Serra.
“I was at the factory, a couple of days in each week. We did preparation for… naturally you’re going over where we were in the previous race, things that we need to change.
“I hold a lot of meetings, so I’ve called on lots of meetings with the heads of the team. I’ve sat with John [Elkann, Ferrari Chairman], Benedetto [Vigna, Ferrari CEO] and Fred [Vasseur, Ferrari F1 team boss], several meetings.
“I’ve sat with the head of our car development, with Loic [Serra], but also with the heads of different departments, talking about the engine for next year, talking about front suspension for next year, talking about rear suspension for next year, things that you want, issues that you have with the car.”
“I’ve sent documents. I’ve done [that] through the year. After the first few races I did a full document for the team, then during this break [between races] I had another two documents that I sent in and so they would come in and want to address those,” Hamilton explained.
Feedback Documents To Shape 2026 Car
These documents include observations on the SF-25’s current weaknesses, suggestions for refinement, and ideas to guide the design direction of next year’s challenger.
“Some of it’s structural, adjustments that we need to make as a team in order to get better in all the areas that we want to improve. Then the other one was really about the car, the current issues that I have with this car, some things that you do want to take onto next year’s car and some that you need to work on and change for next year.”
When asked, Hamilton downplayed expectations around format or authority: “There were no orders in it,” he told the media. “It was just ideas, ‘if we did this, have we tried this? If we did this, perhaps we could ease up a certain area.'”
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Tough Start to Life at Ferrari
Hamilton’s off-track initiative comes amid a tough opening season.
He’s yet to reach the podium in a full Grand Prix, sitting behind teammate Charles Leclerc in the standings. The Brit also endured an emotional low in Hungary, where he described himself as “useless” and even suggested Ferrari consider a replacement.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur acknowledged the difficulties of Hamilton’s transition, saying both he and the driver “probably underestimated the change of environment” after Hamilton’s long time at Mercedes and McLaren.
Despite criticism from some quarters, the F1 community remains supportive. Toto Wolff sees this as a long-term project, especially with major regulation changes ahead in 2026. Meanwhile, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali praised Hamilton as “an incredible athlete” capable of bouncing back.
And despite Hamilton’s comments in Hungary, Hamilton seems adamant about bouncing back himself.
As the season shifts into its second half, the 40-year-old remains determined to help Ferrari rebound. Not just this year, but as the sport moves into a new era.
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 03.08.2025
