The Scuderia’s development missteps this season have compounded the challenge. With 2026 F1 regulations on the horizon, team principal Fred Vasseur faces immense pressure to ensure Ferrari does not repeat errors and charts a clear path forward. However, according to Ralf Schumacher and journalist Peter Hardenacke, internal dynamics may complicate matters, particularly in terms of how the car is developed for each driver.
Schumacher highlighted that Ferrari’s drivers possess markedly different driving styles, which raises questions about whose feedback will dominate the car development process. Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast, Schumacher explained that Lewis Hamilton may be questioning the team’s direction, given that Charles Leclerc naturally prefers a different car setup.
“Charles Leclerc obviously prefers a different car to Lewis Hamilton. Otherwise, it would be easier; there wouldn’t be so many small errors. The speed is sometimes there, but consistency is lacking. That will be Ferrari’s next challenge: deciding whose feedback to prioritise. You can’t develop two cars simultaneously, especially with the new rules coming in. It’s going to be an interesting time,” Schumacher said.
Peter Hardenacke added context from his time in Maranello, observing that Fred Vasseur seemed to explicitly support Charles Leclerc, implying that the car development direction leans toward the Monegasque driver rather than Hamilton. Ralf Schumacher agreed, noting that Fred Vasseur may indeed be closer to Leclerc, both professionally and personally.
Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari has been difficult. He has yet to secure a podium with the team, with only three remaining opportunities in 2025 to achieve that milestone. While the Briton has a longstanding relationship with Fred Vasseur dating back to his GP2 title with ART in 2006, Charles Leclerc’s seven years as a Ferrari driver, plus his time in the Ferrari Driver Academy, means he is far more familiar with Maranello’s processes and staff. This familiarity could naturally influence car development priorities.
Veteran F1 commentator David Croft has suggested that the Briton’s feedback on Ferrari’s operational and technical practices may have caused some friction with staff. In addition, David Coulthard has raised concerns that Lewis Hamilton might be facing a similar challenge to Michael Schumacher late in his career: a potential loss of raw speed, which could impact his ability to maximise performance in the SF-25.
If either of these factors holds true, it helps explain why Fred Vasseur may be subtly leaning toward developing a car tailored more closely to Charles Leclerc’s driving style. As Ferrari looks ahead to 2026, balancing the needs of two high-profile drivers will be crucial, particularly in a season that has already underlined the team’s vulnerabilities and the high stakes involved in the next regulation cycle.
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