Scuderia Ferrari must begin thinking seriously about the future of its Formula One project, and the key to that lies in embracing the experience, vision, and winning mentality of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, according to the Italian media. Meanwhile, the current Formula 1 World Championship battle has clearly shifted into the hands of the McLaren drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
We have reached the halfway point in the 2025 Formula 1 season, yet the overall picture is already quite clear. The British Grand Prix, the twelfth round out of twenty-four scheduled in this year’s championship, confirmed that the title fight is now exclusively a two-way battle between the two McLaren Racing drivers. The miracles of Max Verstappen, who in past seasons almost single-handedly kept Red Bull Racing ahead, are no longer enough to carry the current RB21 to victory. As for Ferrari, the team needs calm, clarity, and a strategic reset to properly focus its resources and attention on the future—especially on the all-important 2026 regulation changes.
Let us begin with the Scuderia. Despite continuous development efforts and an aggressive upgrade path, the technical package of the SF-25 remains limited. The metaphorical operating wondow is still too short to cover all performance aspects at once. Silverstone created some false hopes after Friday practice sessions hinted at a potential pole position challenge, but race day brought significant disappointment, largely due to the unpredictable weather conditions and inconsistent race pace.
From the very first pre-season testing days held in Bahrain until now, Ferrari’s engineers have tested and explored every imaginable setup configuration in search of the right balance. Yet, the team has never managed to unlock the kind of full, uncompromising competitiveness needed to win consistently. This is further evidence that the underlying issues with the SF-25 are not due to a single technical component, but rather a deeper, structural limitation in the car’s overall design concept.
At the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Scuderia Ferrari plans to introduce a new rear suspension system. However, to expect that this change alone will instantly allow the SF-25 to match the current performance level of the McLaren MCL39 is simply unrealistic. The path to success requires patience and long-term thinking. The technical team must treat every upgrade and setup decision as a step toward the 2026 project. Simultaneously, Ferrari should use the second half of the current season to accelerate the integration of Lewis Hamilton into the team and to restore confidence in Charles Leclerc, who endured a particularly frustrating and difficult weekend in England.
Embracing Lewis Hamilton’s vision means committing to long-term philosophy
Consistency is key. When Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton—a driver who has won seven Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championships since his debut title in 2008, while the Italian team has failed to win a single drivers’ championship in that same period—they also signed up for his vision and his way of working. To truly benefit from Lewis Hamilton’s presence, the team must fully embrace his philosophy of development and long-term thinking.
This is the view expressed by the Italian daily newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, who points out that those who expect immediate results, and who may not fully understand how the intricate world of Formula 1 operates, have misinterpreted the British driver’s difficulties with a car that remains too inconsistent in its handling characteristics. Some see it as a sign of decline from the great champion he once was. But what Lewis Hamilton has been advocating—ever since he fully grasped the technical and organizational situation at Ferrari—is a fundamental shift in approach. He wants to build a future-oriented project that avoids radical extremes and instead provides a solid aerodynamic baseline that makes the car easier to drive consistently, even for top-tier drivers. This is not just for himself, but also for Charles Leclerc, whose natural talent continues to be obscured by a car that punishes him with unpredictability.
Such an approach would be a lifeline for Charles Leclerc, who, after a series of disappointments, appears increasingly mentally and emotionally exhausted. His body language during the weekend said it all: after qualifying, he was visibly dejected and self-critical. On race day, he made a desperate gamble by changing tyres after the formation lap—an extreme decision born from frustration and a sense of helplessness. Driving beyond the limit becomes a necessity when the car’s rear end is unstable and unpredictable. This leads to mistakes and hesitation, even for a naturally gifted talent like the Monegasque driver. Leclerc may be his own harshest critic—and that is admirable—but confidence is essential in any competitive sport. Charles Leclerc must be calmed, supported, and mentally recharged to return to his best form.
Constructors’ standings and the new reality: McLaren in charge
One small source of comfort for Scuderia Ferrari is that the team extended its lead over Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team in the Constructors’ Championship standings. The gap increased from just one point to twelve, helped in part by Mercedes’ own strategic blunders during the British Grand Prix. However, Ferrari must look decisively and fearlessly toward the future.
Why? Because the Formula 1 World Championship battle now concerns only Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Max Verstappen, who had once again showcased his brilliance by taking pole position at Silverstone by drastically trimming the rear wing for maximum straight-line speed, struggled in race conditions. There is a world of difference between extracting a perfect qualifying lap and sustaining top-tier performance over the full race distance of more than 300 kilometres. The unpredictable weather did not help Max Verstappen, but the reality remains: the McLaren MCL39 was simply untouchable in race trim, no matter the conditions.
Now, with only 8 points separating Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the standings, the real challenge lies within the McLaren camp. Team Principal Andrea Stella now faces the difficult task of managing this fierce intra-team rivalry. He deserves praise—along with McLaren CEO Zak Brown—for the incredible turnaround they have orchestrated. The car is fast, the drivers are sharp, and the team is functioning at an extremely high level.
The big question is whether Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris can withstand the pressure of a season-long, head-to-head title battle. The tension between them is already simmering, with earlier flashpoints seen in both the Canadian Grand Prix and the Austrian Grand Prix. This emerging rivalry has become the central storyline of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Meanwhile, attention is gradually shifting toward the driver market. As the season progresses, the behind-the-scenes negotiations and rumours are gaining traction. The ongoing and never fully denied contacts between Mercedes-AMG and Max Verstappen could lead to a dramatic shift in the balance of power within Formula One. Should Max Verstappen decide to leave Red Bull Racing for the German team, it could trigger one of the biggest shake-ups in the modern history of the sport.
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