Lewis Hamilton admits he would do anything for Ferrari to replicate Red Bull’s 2025 upgrades
Lewis Hamilton is facing a challenging debut season with Ferrari in Formula 1, with the seven-time world champion acknowledging that one key improvement he wishes for is simply out of reach. The 40-year-old British driver joined the Scuderia for the 2025 campaign aiming to rejuvenate his illustrious career, yet his first year in red has proven to be one of the most difficult in his 19-year tenure in Formula 1. Never before has Hamilton endured such a long stretch without a podium finish in his career, highlighting the severity of Ferrari’s current struggles.
Seventeen rounds into the season, Lewis Hamilton’s best results remain three fourth-place finishes in Imola, Austria, and Britain. The Stevenage-born driver has also failed to finish higher than P6 in the last five Grands Prix, amassing only 121 points for the year. His recent performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw him finish eighth, a position he had misjudged while attempting to yield P8 back to teammate Charles Leclerc, as he was unable to overtake Lando Norris in time.
Hamilton frustrated as Ferrari focuses on 2026 regulations
Lewis Hamilton is fully aware that any improvement in his current situation depends solely on optimal set-up choices and clean execution during races. Ferrari’s technical team has shifted their focus almost entirely to the 2026 regulations, prioritizing next year’s car over further upgrades to the SF-25. The team did introduce a rear suspension update in Belgium, but development on the 2025 car has largely ceased. The Briton has openly expressed his frustration at the lack of performance upgrades, revealing to Motorsport.com that he would give “absolutely anything” for additional improvements, but the reality is that they are simply unavailable as the team concentrates on the future.
While Ferrari is prioritizing 2026, rival teams continue to introduce upgrades for 2025. Red Bull, for example, debuted a new floor package at Monza, which significantly boosted Max Max Verstappen’s speed through critical sections like the two Lesmos and the Ascari Chicane. The Dutchman capitalized on the upgrade to claim victory at the Italian Grand Prix from pole position. In contrast, Ferrari’s decision to halt SF-25 upgrades has left Hamilton to focus on car setup and race execution rather than development, making his debut season less exciting and more challenging than anticipated.
Impact on 2025 championship standings
Red Bull’s continuous upgrades have allowed Verstappen to remain in contention for the 2025 drivers’ championship while also strengthening the Milton Keynes team’s position in the constructors’ battle. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s strategic shift toward 2026 has had consequences in the current standings. Mercedes now sits second in the constructors’ championship with 290 points, overtaking Ferrari after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Scuderia is narrowly behind in third with 286 points, while Red Bull has dropped to fourth with 272 points, despite Max Verstappen’s consistent podium finishes.
Hamilton now hopes that the groundwork Ferrari is laying for the 2026 regulations will pay off in the next season, enabling him to recover from what has been one of the most challenging periods in his Formula 1 career. For now, the seven-time champion must make the most of the SF-25 through strategic set-up and flawless race execution, even as rival teams continue to push performance upgrades that could redefine the 2025 championship landscape.
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