Lewis Hamilton is reported to have made a series of very precise requests to Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1, ranging from changes in the steering feel to adjustments in car setups, although many doubts remain regarding the 2026 season. Ferrari is already working on its Formula 1 project for 2026, and Hamilton has demanded several modifications in both steering and setups, but uncertainty still surrounds the direction of development. The seven-time world champion has not yet managed to find the right level of confidence with the current SF-25 car. According to a recent report by Paolo Filisetti for Gazzetta dello Sport, there appear to be discrepancies between the requests of the British driver and those of his teammate Charles Leclerc. The next generation Ferrari car may therefore end up being the result of significant compromises.
This is certainly not the kind of season that either Lewis Hamilton or Ferrari’s fans had imagined when the partnership was announced. With the championship now past its halfway stage, and with the final European races approaching, a victory is still missing. Podium finishes have come, but they have all been delivered by car number 16 driven by Charles Leclerc, leaving Hamilton without the result he had hoped for. Ferrari, however, has shown very encouraging signs, as has already been noted in other analyses, and the focus has inevitably shifted towards 2026, the year of the new technical regulations.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion seems intent on shaping the Maranello team to his image. Reports suggest that he has even asked for changes among the engineering staff who manage trackside operations during race weekends. Beyond that lies the even more complex technical department, where Hamilton’s driving style presents additional challenges. Although his style is not entirely dissimilar to that of his teammate Charles Leclerc, it nevertheless requires very specific compromises in order to extract maximum performance from the car.
Steering, setups and engine braking: Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari 2026
The requests made by Lewis Hamilton have been outlined by Paolo Filisetti in Gazzetta dello Sport. One of the most crucial issues concerns engine braking, which in Ferrari’s current power unit has a stronger effect compared to what Hamilton experienced during his years at Mercedes. The system can be calibrated in different ways, but the fundamental characteristics of the Maranello power unit cannot be completely altered. This represents a key problem behind Hamilton’s lack of confidence under braking phases, an aspect of driving that is particularly critical to his style.
Another central point relates to front-end precision, which Ferrari targeted this season with the adoption of a front pull-rod suspension layout. This design choice has, however, led to increased understeer in slower and more technical sections of the track. Hamilton has tried to counter this limitation by increasing front-end load, which in turn produces a very high steering sensitivity. The British driver reportedly wanted to tackle this problem in the simulator, where he asked to experiment with a wider range of setup options.
Nevertheless, Ferrari is said to work with a more limited number of baseline configurations when preparing for a race weekend. This has forced Hamilton to run with setups that are not entirely optimal for him and his SF-25 car.
The outcome has been diverging setup preferences compared to Charles Leclerc, who appears to adapt more naturally to the characteristics of the current Ferrari. If such differences in feedback continue into 2026, Ferrari’s engineers could face considerable difficulties. Having to respond to two distinct and at times opposing sets of requests from the drivers would inevitably complicate the direction of technical development, forcing the team to strike a delicate balance in order to satisfy both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc while also remaining competitive under the new regulatory framework.
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