Lewis Hamilton is making his mark at Ferrari far beyond what happens on track during a 2026 season that has been completely different from his difficult debut campaign. According to former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion is having a profound influence behind the scenes at Maranello, helping to raise the level of the entire organisation.
Speaking on the F1 Explains podcast, Rob Smedley described a Ferrari environment that has responded extremely positively to Lewis Hamilton. The former Ferrari, Williams and Jordan engineer believes the British driver’s presence provides a constant stimulus throughout the Scuderia, with his demanding approach helping to push the team forward in the right way.
Lewis Hamilton’s influence at Ferrari goes beyond driving
According to Rob Smedley, Lewis Hamilton’s added value cannot be measured solely through his performances behind the wheel. His influence also lies in his ability to raise the performance of the people working alongside him.
“When you have a driver of his calibre in the team, the whole group feels even just 1% more capable. And if you multiply that 1% by the approximately 2,000 women and men who work at Ferrari, in the end you get a huge improvement.”
It is an idea that neatly illustrates the effect a champion of Lewis Hamilton’s stature can have on a complex organisation such as Ferrari. His contribution is not limited to technical feedback and outright speed, but also encompasses leadership, credibility and an ability to transmit confidence throughout the operation.
That influence carries particular significance as Ferrari continues working to improve its current project. The Scuderia believes that developing the SF-26 can continue to provide benefits for its 2027 Formula 1 car, making the team’s wider working methods and organisational development important alongside immediate performance.
Rob Smedley: ‘They all love him’ at Ferrari
When presenter Jake Humphrey asked about the atmosphere surrounding Lewis Hamilton inside Ferrari, Rob Smedley explained that he remains in frequent contact with numerous members of the team. The feedback he receives about the number 44’s impact has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Yes, absolutely. They love him. From what the guys tell me, both in private conversations and in the chat groups I’m part of, everyone has a huge amount of respect for him. The reason is simple: he delivers results. He has won seven world championships and they know he is still someone capable of winning more.”
Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with Ferrari has evolved considerably since the difficulties of his first campaign at Maranello. His adaptation and performances remain closely followed as the Scuderia attempts to maximise its current package, with further coverage of the seven-time world champion available in the Lewis Hamilton Ferrari section.
Lewis Hamilton’s approach reminds Ferrari veterans of Michael Schumacher
Rob Smedley then highlighted another characteristic he believes distinguishes Lewis Hamilton: the ability to demand more from those around him without creating divisions inside the team.
“At the same time, though, he is constantly pushing them. He does it in the right way and they recognise that. Those who have been at Ferrari for 20 years or even longer can clearly see the similarities between him and Michael.”
The reference is naturally to Michael Schumacher, the driver at the centre of Ferrari’s revival around the turn of the century and one of the key figures in building one of the most dominant winning cycles in Formula 1 history.
Rob Smedley’s comments therefore provide another perspective on Lewis Hamilton’s journey at Maranello. Beyond his results on the circuit, the British driver is already leaving an imprint on the organisation itself, helping to foster the performance culture that has historically been one of the fundamental ingredients behind successful Formula 1 projects.
Ferrari’s challenge is to translate that collective progress into sustained competitiveness on track. The team’s performance relative to Mercedes and the rest of the leading constructors can also be followed through the Ferrari vs F1 Rivals statistics as the 2026 season develops.
Leave a Reply