FIA open to revisiting F1 regulations after Lewis Hamilton criticizes latest change

Lewis Hamilton Frustrated with Ferrari and FIA After Disappointing Spanish Grand Prix Performance

Seven-time Formula world champion Lewis Hamilton appeared visibly disheartened following the conclusion of the Spanish Grand Prix, as the Ferrari driver struggled to hide his disappointment after only securing a sixth-place finish at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Despite a marginally improved result—thanks to Max Verstappen receiving a time penalty for colliding with George Russell—Hamilton was ultimately promoted from seventh to sixth, but it did little to lift his spirits. To compound matters, Nico Hülkenberg managed to overtake him in the closing laps, crossing the finish line 1.86 seconds ahead after executing a successful move on Lap 65 of 66.

Lewis Hamilton’s frustrations have now extended beyond the race itself and into broader concerns over Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign. The seven-time world champion is reportedly urging the Scuderia to shift their strategic focus entirely towards the upcoming 2026 regulation changes, effectively calling on the team to give up on this season’s development. According to those close to the situation, Lewis Hamilton also feels increasingly alienated within the Maranello-based outfit, with the veteran suspecting that not everyone inside Ferrari remains fully supportive of him as a long-term asset.

In addition to his performance woes, the Briton also voiced dissatisfaction with recent regulatory decisions made by the FIA. Specifically, he was critical of the governing body’s latest clampdown on flexible front wings, which was introduced ahead of the Spanish GP. The regulation, which reduced the permitted flex from 15mm to 10mm during static load tests, was implemented to ensure uniform compliance across all ten teams. Hamilton, however, reportedly told insiders that the rule change amounted to little more than a “waste of money,” arguing that it made no tangible difference to car performance or competitive balance.

Despite Lewis Hamilton’s skepticism, the FIA remains satisfied with how the new flexi-wing regulation was applied. The sport’s governing body believes the update served its intended purpose—not to disrupt the competitive order, but to reinforce technical clarity and enforcement. The FIA clarified that the modification was never designed to shake up the running order but simply to ensure that no team exploited excessive wing flex beyond the established threshold.

At present, the FIA has no further plans to amend the flexible front wing rules during the remainder of the 2025 season. However, the organization has left the door open to potential refinements as it continues to monitor compliance ahead of the sweeping 2026 chassis regulation overhaul. This approach suggests that while the rules are stable for now, teams should not assume the current standards are final.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur had reportedly hoped that the new flexi-wing rules would offer the Scuderia a competitive boost, especially by potentially compromising McLaren’s performance. However, those hopes were not realized in Barcelona. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claimed pole position with a commanding Q3 lap that was 0.499 seconds quicker than Lewis Hamilton’s best effort, which only earned him fifth on the grid. Piastri also outpaced Charles Leclerc by 0.585 seconds, with the Monegasque driver ultimately recovering to finish third in the race.

This was not the first time Ferrari misjudged the impact of a regulatory update on McLaren. Earlier in the season at Imola, the FIA introduced a technical directive aimed at standardizing brake materials—a move some believed would hinder McLaren’s performance. Yet the Woking-based team continued to thrive, showing minimal signs of disruption from the new regulation.

With frustrations mounting at the Maranello and Lewis Hamilton openly questioning both team strategy and regulatory decisions, the tension surrounding the Scuderia’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign shows no sign of easing. As McLaren pulls further ahead and the FIA holds firm on its regulatory stance, Hamilton and Ferrari face mounting pressure to either adapt quickly or shift their full attention to the new era awaiting in 2026.