Ferrari, Hamilton believes in victory: “I’ve never felt this strong”
The partnership between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari in Formula 1 has been anything but simple so far, yet the situation needs to be viewed from a broader perspective. The 2026 season will open a decisive window for shaping a technical and human relationship that is still developing. And it is precisely for this reason that, despite John Elkann’s unfortunate comments, the Briton is working on new approaches to progressively improve his connection with the team.
Hamilton’s frustration is understandable, and the reasons are clear
The 2025 campaign has highlighted widespread difficulties, both in terms of performance and in adapting to a completely new environment. The naturally high expectations from the moment of his arrival have collided with a slower and more complex reality. Lewis Hamilton is experiencing one of the least successful phases of his career, despite a record of achievements that speaks for itself. The points deficit compared to Charles Leclerc and the absence of Grand Prix podiums underlined these challenges.
At the same time, during the current season the Maranello team has never reached a competitive level capable of fighting consistently at the front. Ferrari has collected several podiums with Leclerc and a single victory in the Sprint in China, where the seven-time world champion crossed the line ahead of everyone. However, the Scuderia has never presented a true threat to McLaren or Red Bull.
The biggest limitation lies in managing a complex car that has often required extreme setups in an attempt to recover crucial tenths of a second. Charles Leclerc has been able to interpret the SF-25 with greater consistency, but even his best opportunities were erased by technical problems or a lack of race pace. For Lewis Hamilton, who spent more than a decade accustomed to fighting for victory every weekend, finding himself out of contention has been a clear source of frustration.
The gap between ambitions and real possibilities remains wide. Another key challenge concerns Lewis Hamilton’s integration into an environment very different from the one in which he built his entire Formula 1 career. After almost twenty years working within UK-based teams, moving into a structurally and culturally Italian context naturally takes time. Ferrari is a unique institution in the F1 world, something the paddock has always acknowledged.
This scenario creates an impact that is not only operational but also human. Lewis Hamilton has openly admitted that the adjustment process is slower than he initially expected. Additionally, team principal Frédéric Vasseur candidly told the media that Ferrari clearly underestimated the complexity of integrating Lewis Hamilton, and that the team did not support him as effectively as it should have.
Finding the right balance inside Ferrari is essential
Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe pointed out that the real challenge for the seven-time world champion lies in learning to read the subtle signals of the group — the non-verbal dynamics that make the difference in critical moments. Understanding when to push, when to be patient, how the team responds to pressure or to the mistakes made throughout a season, and which rituals sustain the daily workflow.
These elements become evident only during race weekends and cannot be artificially reproduced. This makes a longer adaptation period inevitable. For Lewis Hamilton, the crucial point will be progressively shaping his working environment without forcing changes that could appear to clash with Ferrari’s identity. At the same time, he cannot give up what he needs in order to operate at his highest level.
Finding the right balance between integration and influence will be fundamental in building a solid foundation ahead of the new regulatory era. A strategy that is too cautious risks stretching the timeline even further, and an eventual separation between the two sides at the end of next season cannot be entirely ruled out. This is why the 2026 reset represents, according to Hinchcliffe, the ideal opportunity.
The regulatory revolution will bring an entirely new car and give Lewis Hamilton the chance to influence the project from the very beginning. Ferrari will be able to align its processes and methodologies with the needs of its new star driver, while Lewis Hamilton can offer more targeted input than he currently can. Only then will it be possible to understand whether this partnership can truly express the potential both sides imagined when the contract was signed.
Hamilton refuses to give up and still believes Ferrari can win a race this season
During the press conference, Lewis Hamilton said that it would be incredible for Ferrari to secure a victory in what he described as a difficult and chaotic Formula 1 season. He emphasized that every single member of the team has worked extremely hard this year, absorbing hit after hit only to get back up again. This, he added, shows the true resilience of the Scuderia. He also said he is extremely proud of every person he is working with.
Lewis Hamilton continued by saying that if they are lucky enough to achieve such a result, it would be a huge motivation boost for everyone, particularly for the men and women working at the factory. He explained that this is their objective — it is what the team is pushing for, what he dreams of, and what he will continue to fight for. “I am fully convinced about the decision I made to come here. I support my team 100%, and I still support myself 100%,” he added.
“Even though I know this has not been a good year for us, there have been so many lessons. As far as I’m concerned personally, I feel like I’ve grown massively this year. I’m here, stronger than I’ve ever felt, and fully determined to try to finish these last races on a strong note,” he said.
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