A key figure at Ferrari has revealed details about the team’s relationship with Lewis Hamilton: has the so-called “marriage of the century” with the Scuderia already reached its final chapter?
Matteo Togninalli, Ferrari’s Head of Track Engineers, explained some of the difficulties encountered between the Italian team and Lewis Hamilton. Media reports have suggested that relations are already strained, but is that really the case?
Zero podiums. That’s just one of several disappointing statistics for the seven-time world champion in the red suit. His only moment of joy came during qualifying and the Sprint race in China, where he claimed pole and the Sprint victory. After that, Charles Leclerc dominated most of the time, outperforming Lewis Hamilton. The British driver was eliminated too often in the first round of qualifying. Of course, Ferrari did not meet expectations, as the team’s goal was the world championship. The SF-25 had well-known design issues once on track. Once the team understood this, it decided to focus fully on the 2026 car, which could be presented around mid-January. Now, through Matteo Togninalli’s words to Autosport.com, we get insight into the behind-the-scenes story of Lewis Hamilton’s season with Ferrari.
Matteo Togninalli: “This year we didn’t achieve the goal. Our image…”
“Changing driver and changing team, especially for a driver like Lewis who spent 10 years with the same team and has significant experience, is very difficult for both sides, both the driver and the team. Every team operates slightly differently, you get used to certain people, certain processes in a centralized way. Then, when you put this in context, there’s the fact that Lewis was competing for the world championship. The fact is, this year we didn’t achieve the goal of fighting for the championship. So, there’s frustration that creates this situation. I think what people see from the outside is much worse than it actually is.”
In reality, media portrayals are quite different from what’s happening behind the walls of Maranello. Matteo Togninalli openly admitted that Ferrari failed to meet expectations in 2025. As Fred Vasseur also noted some time ago, the Italian team underestimated the major adaptation Lewis Hamilton had to undergo. The Head of Track Engineers further explained the concrete difficulties affecting Lewis Hamilton’s and the team’s performance.
“I think the relationship with Lewis, what we are building with him, is extremely positive. He spent 10 years with the same team, with the same people, and after 10 months, I think we already have a very, very strong bond with him. However, frustration and results create this image of us and him at Ferrari, which I believe is much worse than the reality. Why is he struggling? Again, I think it’s partly due to frustration, and partly because, as I said, we need a bit of time to adapt to each other. Perhaps both the team and Lewis underestimated this at the start. But I’m confident; as I said, I don’t think the relationship is as bad as people think. And I’m sure that over time it will improve.” – he concluded.
As winter testing approaches and the new era dawns, the Tifosi—and neutral observers alike—will watch eagerly to see if this partnership can deliver the success both sides crave in 2026 and beyond.
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