Lewis Hamilton Ferrari team news has taken center stage as team principal Fred Vasseur revealed the team is struggling with morale after a taxing 2025 Formula 1 season. Ferrari concluded the year in a difficult position, missing out on victories while rivals like McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes secured multiple wins.
Challenges Following a Demanding Season
Despite podium appearances at notable tracks such as the Circuit of the Americas and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Ferrari could only manage a fourth-place finish in the 2025 constructors’ championship. This result was compounded by the team’s early call to halt development on their SF-25 car in April, opting to focus instead on the incoming regulations for 2026. This decision left Ferrari trailing as competitors continued to improve and secure crucial race results during the remainder of the year.
Reserve Driver Zhou Guanyu Departs
The Ferrari F1 camp was rocked by the announcement that Zhou Guanyu will no longer serve as their reserve driver for the 2026 season. Zhou, who joined the Ferrari driver lineup after his move from Sauber and the arrival of Lewis Hamilton in January 2025, played a key part during his brief stint with the team. Nevertheless, his trajectory was shaped by a difficult 2024 campaign at Sauber, where he gained only four points across 24 races, leading to his exit from the Hinwil-based team and ultimately from Ferrari’s roster.
Personal Moments and Off-Track Events
While turmoil played out within Ferrari, other stories unfolded across the F1 paddock. Liam Lawson, after an eventful 2025 season, returned home to New Zealand, participating in a charity event in Cromwell. The event, dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, was organized by Josie Spillane, chief executive of Highlands Motorsport Park, in memory of her friend Louise Scott-Gallagher. This gathering not only supported a good cause but also highlighted Lawson’s involvement in community efforts during the winter break.
Christian Horner Linked with Alpine Takeover
Elsewhere, former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been the subject of renewed speculation regarding a possible takeover of a rival F1 team. Reports from Dutch media suggested Horner was in talks with Alpine, who operate from Enstone, in a bid to acquire a share of the team. According to German sources, Horner’s negotiations have advanced significantly, with the expectation that his acquisition of shares in the French outfit could be finalized in the coming days.
Leclerc Forced to Change Winter Break Plans
Another key Ferrari figure, Charles Leclerc, faced personal setbacks during the off-season. After a year that brought both sporting struggles with the team’s car and joy through his engagement to Alexandra Saint Mleux, Leclerc had hoped to take a special trip to Antarctica with his fiancée. Plans for this unique journey, which Leclerc shared in partnership with UniCredit, were disrupted unexpectedly, forcing the couple to cancel their arrangements for the winter break.
These events mark a period of emotional complexity and uncertainty for Ferrari and its key figures. As they regroup and turn their attention to the 2026 season, the team’s decisions, both on and off the track, are likely to shape their fortunes and the narratives surrounding Lewis Hamilton Ferrari team news in the coming months.
