During the hiatus following the British Grand Prix, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton dedicated significant time to working closely with key figures at Ferrari, focusing on advancing the SF-25 car development. This period included meetings with senior team members and sending important documents addressing both technical and organizational challenges within the team. His efforts center on overcoming current car issues and improving team dynamics to enhance overall performance.
Hamilton described his activities, which extended to the factory for a couple of days weekly, where he reviewed the team‘s performance at prior races and identified necessary changes. He specifically held discussions with chairman John Elkann, chief executive Benedetto Vigna, and team principal Fred Vasseur, alongside heads of car development and various departments involved in engine design and suspension. The communication included detailed feedback on the car and proposals for structural changes aimed at boosting the team’s functioning.
Detailed feedback submitted to address car and team challenges
Hamilton confirmed that he prepared multiple documents during the season to guide Ferrari’s improvements. One document focused on the existing technical hurdles with the SF-25 car, highlighting specific problems and areas requiring attention for both the remainder of the season and the 2026 car. The other document outlined broader structural adjustments the team should undertake to improve collaboration and efficiency across departments.
“Through the year, after the first few races, I did a full document for the team. Then during this break, I had another two documents that I sent in, and then I come in and want to address those.”
—Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Driver
Despite Ferrari finishing as the fastest on the grid in 2024, Hamilton’s debut season has fallen short of expectations, with no podium finishes so far. His input is aimed at reversing this trend by tackling both the car’s performance constraints and the team’s internal processes.
Extensive involvement in testing and preparation for future seasons
In addition to the documents and meetings, Hamilton participated in testing the team‘s new 2026 car prototype, marking the first hands-on evaluation of the next-generation vehicle. This phase involved intensive debriefs with approximately thirty engineers, focusing on development directions and gathering detailed technical insights. Hamilton acknowledged the demanding nature of this work alongside his rigorous physical training regimen during the break.
“We did development – tried the 2026 car for the first time and started work on that. Thirty engineers come into the room and you sit and debrief with every single one of them. So big, big push. Otherwise, just training—pretty hard. Maybe a little bit too hard. A bit heavy this weekend.”
—Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Driver
Implications for Ferrari’s future and Hamilton’s role
Hamilton’s proactive approach signals a critical phase of transformation within Ferrari, as the team seeks to leverage his experience to refine car design and optimize team organization. His focus on structural changes may address underlying issues affecting performance consistency, potentially setting the stage for stronger competitiveness in the upcoming seasons. The ongoing collaboration with Ferrari executives and engineers reflects Hamilton’s commitment to melding his technical feedback with the team’s strategic goals, aiming to restore the Scuderia’s competitive edge.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Lewis Hamilton, an F1 race car driver, is open about his passion for veganism. He also invests in plant-based businesses.
