Lewis Hamilton reveals Ferrari’s plan: "We’re holding many meetings to prepare for 2026”

Formula 1 heads to America for the final stretch of the 2025 season, with the Ferrari team entering a transitional phase after slipping to third in the Constructors’ Championship. The focus in Maranello is already turning to next year, as the six remaining races are being treated as a full-scale test program to address several weaknesses that have emerged throughout the campaign. Lewis Hamilton, speaking during Thursday’s press conference in Austin, explained how Ferrari is approaching this crucial final part of the championship and how the team is already laying the groundwork for the 2026 season.

Hamilton: “I’m convinced we can get more out of the SF-25”

Looking ahead to the United States Grand Prix—a race he has won five times since Formula 1 began racing at the Circuit of the Americas—Lewis Hamilton echoed the thoughts recently shared by team principal Fred Vasseur. He admitted that Ferrari had not made the most of the few opportunities it had this season but believes that these final rounds could be used to make meaningful progress. “You can never have too many expectations, apart from giving your best and continuing to improve,” said Lewis Hamilton. “I think there are many positives to take from each weekend, and there are also many areas where we can improve. After the last race, we spent time analyzing what can be done better, and I really think this weekend we can take a step forward and get more out of the car we have. We haven’t made progress in terms of outright performance, but there’s definitely more potential in the car. If we work a little smarter, I’m convinced we can extract more. That’s the goal.”

Adapting to the Ferrari environment has been one of the main storylines of Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with the Scuderia. The seven-time world champion said he intends to use the remaining races to strengthen his connection with the team and refine internal processes. “I’m really focused on the next six races,” he explained. “These are the most important test weekends in terms of continuous learning and improving our procedures. There have been a couple of situations in recent races that we didn’t capitalize on, so it’s about taking the positives and working on what functions best—keeping what works and changing what doesn’t. That’s what we’re trying to do moving forward.”

Building stronger communication and relationships within the team is also a top priority for Lewis Hamilton. “I think it’s about continuing to build on the relationships and communication,” he added. “Everyone in the factory really deserves a strong result, and the only goal we have is to deliver good performances—maximizing and squeezing every possible point from our weekends. I genuinely believe we can achieve that. We just need to stay focused.”

Rumours about Horner and Ferrari’s 2026 project

In recent weeks, the position of team principal Fred Vasseur has once again been questioned despite the contract extension he signed earlier this summer. As with several of his colleagues across the grid, the shadow of Christian Horner continues to loom large, with the Red Bull boss being linked to Ferrari. “I don’t know where these rumours are coming from, so I can’t really shed much light on it,” Lewis Hamilton commented. “But it’s a bit of a distraction for us as a team. Obviously, the team has clarified its position regarding Fred, and now Fred, myself, and the whole team are working hard for the future. These things, of course, aren’t helpful.”

Fred Vasseur has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the new team structure, strengthened by the arrivals of Loïc Serra and Jérôme D’Ambrosio. The 2026 car will be the first fully developed under their leadership, and Lewis Hamilton confirmed that work at Maranello is progressing with full dedication despite the ongoing rumours. “I know that everyone at the factory is working extremely hard and with great focus, and while these rumours can sometimes be a distraction, for me, it’s about keeping our eyes on the target ahead—building the foundations for next year’s car,” said Lewis Hamilton. “We have to keep laying the groundwork this season so that in 2026 we can execute better and deliver stronger overall performance. We’re holding many meetings to make sure we’re moving in the right direction and preparing in the best possible way for 2026.”