F1: no crisis between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, just a learning curve

This Formula 1 season is far from easy for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari. Entering a new environment, far from his technical and cultural norms, has been part of the challenge for the British driver. The aim was to capitalize on the experience of a winning driver—an ongoing process both parties are still working on. Obstacles and misunderstandings are part of the journey, contributing to steady progress that is gradually taking shape.

Lewis and a Weighty Past

Twelve seasons with Mercedes can’t be erased in a matter of months. Lewis Hamilton’s vast experience as a seven-time Formula 1 world champion is evident, especially considering he spent six competitive seasons with McLaren before joining Mercedes. This means his racing mindset was born and shaped within the British methodology. This theme often comes up when discussing Lewis Hamilton’s struggles. Toto Wolff even addressed it recently, defending the man who gave so much to Mercedes over more than a decade. The Austrian team principal made it clear: Lewis is a British driver now immersed in a completely different reality.

And there is no real argument against that statement. The Italian environment brings undeniable and fundamental differences, not just methodologically, but in day-to-day operations. However, the experience Lewis Hamilton gained at the top level of motorsport should not be viewed as a weakness. On the contrary, it is a valuable asset that should be fully leveraged.

This brings us to the million-dollar question: Has Ferrari taken full advantage of the technical expertise the British driver brings, learning from it? Or has the team chosen to stick to its own path, disregarding suggestions and changes Lewis Hamilton may have recommended in terms of working practices? A definitive answer is difficult without working inside Maranello, but some key observations can be made.

Like any other F1 driver, especially one of the most experienced on the grid, Lewis Hamilton has developed his own methodology over the years. It is an approach that has worked: in both teams he’s driven for, he has achieved success and often maximized performance even when he didn’t have the fastest car.

His methods are therefore highly credible, and it is known that he has discussed them directly with Ferrari. These aren’t just limited to race weekend insights, but extend to his broader view of how a team should operate. A well-known example comes from Imola, where he publicly suggested that Ferrari begin focusing resources on 2026.

He can afford to make such suggestions, given his proven expertise, and the Italian team is listening. It is simply not true that Ferrari ignores Lewis Hamilton’s reasoning—especially since he rarely speaks without purpose or based only on feelings. Just recall his repeated calls for Mercedes to abandon the “zero-pod” concept in 2022—advice they ignored until mid-2023.

The idea that Lewis Hamilton was hired to radically change Ferrari’s culture is unrealistic. That kind of shift happened during the Michael Schumacher era, when Luca di Montezemolo handed control to a British-led technical team under Jean Todt. It was a bold decision that eventually paid off—though it took five full seasons to bear fruit.

Ferrari, Hamilton Is a Key Asset to Win

Lewis Hamilton joined Ferrari convinced that the Maranello team had matured enough to fight for the title. The Briton was meant to be the added value: a leader capable of lifting the team to victory—a word the seven-time Formula 1 world champion knows well. This is why the reality check has been tough for the former Mercedes driver, while Charles Leclerc is already used to fighting with the car he’s given.

According to information gathered by the Italian media, some of Lewis Hamilton’s suggestions have been implemented into Ferrari’s working methodology, while certain approaches used by the team—unfamiliar to Lewis—have positively surprised him. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, as it’s difficult to quantify the precise impact Hamilton has made in such a challenging season.

Neither side is happy with the current technical level. Yet the relationship works, despite frequent rumors of disagreements between the driver and the engineers. Being open to critique is part of Lewis Hamilton’s philosophy at 40 years old, and his “constructive criticism” helps the team grow. This is precisely why there’s no “Lewis Hamilton case” in Maranello. Contrary to popular belief, the Briton and Ferrari continue working together to reach the level of excellence needed to win. This championship may be lost in terms of titles, but hopes for a competitive 2025 remain intact. In recent weeks, new details have emerged, and it appears the team is making strong progress toward the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.