Lewis Hamilton addresses Rob Smedley’s crucial Imola insight: "I might not see it the same way"

Lewis Hamilton Gears Up for First Ferrari Race in Italy Amid Concerns Over Lack of Upgrades at Imola

Lewis Hamilton is poised to experience a major milestone this weekend as he prepares to race in Italy for the first time as a Ferrari driver. Formula 1 returns to the historic Imola circuit for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, a venue deeply tied to the soul of Scuderia Ferrari. Yet, the race may also mark the final chapter of Imola’s tenure on the F1 calendar, with its contract set to expire after this year.

Despite the emotional weight of racing on home soil for the Maranello-based outfit, Ferrari arrives at Imola with a cloud of disappointment still hanging over them. Their most recent outing at the Miami Grand Prix was another setback. While Lewis Hamilton’s strategic early call for slick tyres in the Sprint helped secure a podium, Ferrari’s performance in the main race was far from competitive. Charles Leclerc and Hamilton finished in seventh and eighth respectively, with enormous time gaps of 57.036 and 60.186 seconds separating them from race winner Oscar Piastri. For Lewis Hamilton, this marked the largest margin of defeat since joining the Scuderia ahead of the 2025 season.

As the team now turns its attention to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, both Hamilton and Ferrari face another uphill challenge—not just in terms of performance, but in silencing growing doubts about the SF-25’s competitiveness.

Former Ferrari Engineer Rob Smedley Casts Doubt on Scuderia’s Imola Prospects
Adding to the pressure, former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley has openly questioned the team’s ability to compete at the front unless significant upgrades are brought to Imola. According to Rob Smedley, unless the Scuderia introduces a major update package, it would be unrealistic to expect them to suddenly match the pace of front-runners like Red Bull, McLaren, or Mercedes.

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Smedley emphasized that after six races, the true performance level of Ferrari’s 2025 car is already well established. He argued that simply racing on home ground is unlikely to transform the team’s fortunes unless their upgrade package is substantial and exceeds that of their rivals. While he acknowledged that every team is working on improvements, he suggested that Ferrari’s gains, if any, would likely be marginal at best.

This sobering assessment will not sit well with Hamilton, who had high hopes for making a strong impression in front of the Tifosi. The Emilia Romagna GP, potentially Imola’s swansong, offered an opportunity for Ferrari to shine on home soil—but Smedley’s comments reflect a growing concern that the current car may not be up to the task.

Ferrari to Conduct Limited Testing at Imola, Delaying Key Upgrades
Ferrari’s technical direction for Imola may further frustrate the British driver. According to reports from the Italian media, the Maranello team does not plan to introduce any major upgrades for either Hamilton or Leclerc this weekend. Instead, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will primarily serve as a test session for a new brake duct design. The one-off trial aims to collect aerodynamic and cooling data, rather than deliver immediate performance improvements.

The Scuderia’s broader development strategy is also facing delays. Technical director Loic Serra has postponed the introduction of a major upgrade package—most notably a new floor—until after the Spanish Grand Prix. One reason behind this decision is the FIA’s upcoming implementation of stricter testing procedures on flexible wings, which are expected to take effect in Spain. Serra wants to first evaluate how the SF-25 reacts to these new conditions before rolling out significant aerodynamic changes.

As a result, the timeline for Ferrari’s performance recovery has shifted. The two drivers of the Maranello team may need to wait until the Canadian Grand Prix, four rounds from now, before seeing any substantial improvements to the SF-25. This delay compounds the pressure on Ferrari to deliver at their home race despite being outpaced by rivals.

With high expectations from the passionate Tifosi, the spotlight on Hamilton’s Ferrari journey has intensified. While the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will undoubtedly be an emotional and symbolic event, the combination of performance struggles, public criticism, and delayed upgrades creates a daunting backdrop for Hamilton’s first Italian appearance in red.