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“I was at the factory, a couple of days in each week. We did preparation for\u2026 naturally you\u2019re going over where we were in the previous race, things that we need to change.<\/p>\n
“I hold a lot of meetings, so I\u2019ve called on lots of meetings with the heads of the team. I\u2019ve sat with John [Elkann, Ferrari Chairman], Benedetto [Vigna, Ferrari CEO] and Fred [Vasseur<\/a>, Ferrari F1 team boss], several meetings.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n “I’ve sent documents. I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked, Hamilton downplayed expectations around format or authority: \u201cThere were no orders in it,\u201d 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.'”<\/p>\n YOU MAY ALSO LIKE<\/strong>: Why 2026 is make-or-break for Alpine<\/a><\/p>\n Hamilton’s off-track initiative comes amid a tough opening season.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, where he described himself as “useless” and even suggested Ferrari consider a replacement.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s long time at Mercedes<\/a> and McLaren.<\/p>\n 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 \u201can incredible athlete\u201d capable of bouncing back.<\/p>\n And despite Hamilton’s comments in Hungary, Hamilton<\/a> seems adamant about bouncing back himself.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\nFeedback Documents To Shape 2026 Car<\/h3>\n
Tough Start to Life at Ferrari<\/h3>\n