Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari’s extensive efforts behind the scenes are finally beginning to pay off, with the seven-time Formula 1 world champion seeing tangible evidence that the lessons learned during a difficult debut campaign are now translating into stronger performances on track.
After enduring a challenging first season in red, Lewis Hamilton has emerged as one of the standout performers in recent races. Consecutive second-place finishes in Canada and Monaco have not only delivered his best run of results since joining Ferrari but have also strengthened optimism that the Scuderia is moving in the right direction after months of development work.
The recent podium streak marks a significant milestone for Lewis Hamilton. It is the first time since his Mercedes appearances at the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix in 2024 that he has stood on the podium in back-to-back Formula 1 races. Combined with his earlier third-place finish in China, the results have propelled him into second place in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Perhaps even more notably, the Briton now finds himself among the top two in the championship battle for the first time since the dramatic 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale. Given the difficulties he experienced in recent years, including a frustrating 2025 campaign in which he failed to secure a single Grand Prix podium, the turnaround has been particularly striking.
Ferrari development finally delivering results
According to Lewis Hamilton, the recent progress is not the result of a single upgrade or breakthrough but rather the culmination of months of work carried out alongside Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, the engineering department and the wider technical team at Maranello.
The British driver explained that Ferrari already possessed the fundamental ingredients required to compete at the front of Formula 1. The challenge, in his view, was ensuring that all of those elements worked together efficiently and consistently.
Throughout his first year with the team, Lewis Hamilton invested considerable effort in helping Ferrari identify weaknesses, improve procedures and refine aspects of the car that were limiting performance. Those conversations, technical evaluations and simulator sessions now appear to be influencing the direction of the project.
Lewis Hamilton indicated that several of the changes he pushed for during his difficult debut season have now been implemented. One area he highlighted was the suspension package, which has undergone important revisions and is helping provide a more predictable and competitive platform.
He suggested that the overall car set-up philosophy has improved dramatically compared to the previous year, making it easier for drivers to extract performance while also giving engineers a clearer understanding of the car’s operating window.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc benefiting from Ferrari’s evolution
The improvements are not only benefiting Lewis Hamilton but are also helping Ferrari maximize the potential of both sides of the garage. As the Scuderia continues to refine its package, Charles Leclerc has likewise been able to remain consistently competitive at the front of the field.
Having two elite drivers capable of providing detailed technical feedback is increasingly being viewed as one of Ferrari’s greatest strengths. The combined experience of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is allowing the team to accelerate development and identify areas for improvement more effectively than in previous seasons.
While Ferrari still faces strong competition from rivals Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull, the recent results suggest that the gap has narrowed significantly. Consecutive podiums have reinforced the belief within Maranello that the team is gradually building a car capable of fighting for victories on a regular basis.
Lewis Hamilton sees encouraging signs but warns Ferrari’s work is not finished
Despite the recent momentum, Lewis Hamilton remains realistic about the challenges that lie ahead. The British driver reportedly acknowledged that Ferrari has made meaningful progress but emphasized that the project is still a work in progress and that further improvements will be required before the team can consistently dominate at the front.
He credited Fred Vasseur for playing an important role in helping align the team’s efforts and ensuring that the development direction remained focused. Lewis Hamilton also praised Ferrari’s engineers for responding positively to feedback and implementing changes designed to improve the overall competitiveness of the package.
The encouraging aspect for Ferrari is that many of the gains now appearing on track stem from decisions made months earlier. Rather than relying on short-term fixes, the team appears to be building a stronger technical foundation that could continue delivering benefits throughout the remainder of the season and beyond.
For Lewis Hamilton, the recent podium finishes represent more than just strong results. They are evidence that the difficult adaptation period, the technical feedback and the countless hours invested alongside Ferrari’s engineers are beginning to produce measurable rewards.
As Ferrari continues its pursuit of a return to championship-winning form, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will hope that the progress seen in recent races is only the beginning of a much larger resurgence for Formula 1’s most iconic team.
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