Ferrari Working Behind the Scenes to Help Lewis Hamilton Adapt Amidst Braking Struggles and Setup Challenges
Ferrari are reportedly putting considerable effort into helping Lewis Hamilton find his footing during his debut season with the team, as the seven-time world champion continues to adapt to life away from Mercedes in a year that has so far proved challenging for the Scuderia.
While some may be tempted to draw conclusions from Ferrari’s disappointing start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, attributing their struggles to Hamilton would be unfair. Observers have noted that if Charles Leclerc were consistently contending for pole positions and race victories while Hamilton languished in seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, scrutiny over Hamilton’s move from Mercedes would be more intense. However, Ferrari’s performance at the Miami Grand Prix made it clear that the Italian team is currently more concerned about pressure from the midfield than about chasing the top three teams in the standings.
Inside the garage, Leclerc’s long-standing familiarity with Ferrari is proving critical. The Monegasque driver is being leaned on for guidance on car setup, thanks to his deeper integration within the team. Still, there are growing indications that Ferrari may need to compromise or adjust certain operational elements to aid Hamilton’s adaptation process.
Hamilton is currently adjusting to a wide array of new systems, team dynamics, and technical components that differ from what he used during his time at Mercedes. Among the biggest challenges is adapting to Ferrari’s specific approach to engine braking, which is a new feature for the 40-year-old. The brand of brake systems used by Ferrari—namely, Brembo—also differs significantly from what Hamilton was previously accustomed to.
Ferrari Brake Rumors Spark Internal Turmoil Amid Hamilton Transition
The topic of Ferrari’s brake system drew further attention after journalist Edd Straw, during a discussion with The Race Members’ Club, was asked whether the team had considered moving Hamilton away from Brembo brakes and instead opting for Carbon Industrie—brakes he may be more comfortable with.
Straw recalled that speculation about such a switch first surfaced the previous year, and that this rumor alone had caused considerable disruption within the team. Although he was not privy to the full details of what transpired behind the scenes, Straw speculated that Ferrari may have explored the idea of testing alternative brake suppliers unofficially. However, once the information was leaked, any potential plan would have been quickly abandoned.
According to Straw, Brembo’s long-standing partnership with Ferrari—bolstered by the fact that both companies are Italian—makes any deviation from the supplier politically and commercially sensitive. As such, even if Ferrari had considered switching to Carbon Industrie to accommodate Hamilton’s preferences, making that move public would have rendered it untenable.
Windsor and Magnussen Weigh In on Hamilton’s Struggles
As Lewis Hamilton continues to chase consistency, questions remain about his single-lap pace relative to his Maranello teammate. Similar difficulties were observed in his final season at Mercedes when he was matched closely by George Russell. However, Lewis Hamilton has already shown glimpses of strong racecraft at Ferrari. Notably, he outpaced Charles Leclerc to win the Sprint Race in China and claimed another podium with a top-three finish in the Miami Sprint.
His relative speed often improves in the latter stages of Grands Prix, suggesting that Lewis Hamilton may be more comfortable managing the car under lighter fuel loads. F1 analyst Peter Windsor has pointed to Ferrari’s braking system as a key factor influencing Hamilton’s performance. He proposed that Lewis Hamilton’s driving style has evolved over the years and that the current brake configuration may not suit his preferred technique.
This viewpoint aligns with recent comments from Kevin Magnussen, who highlighted the drastic differences between the current generation of F1 cars and their predecessors. Drivers, he said, must adapt their approaches significantly, especially when it comes to braking and tire management.
Although Ferrari ultimately chose not to move away from Brembo brakes last season, the question of whether that decision might be revisited remains open—particularly if the Briton’s performance continues to be slightly off Leclerc’s pace. The answer could play a crucial role in shaping Ferrari’s success this season, as they look to optimize both of their drivers’ performances amid an increasingly competitive field.
