Lewis Hamilton’s latest Ferrari request leaves Fred Vasseur facing major dilemma after Montreal GP. Lewis Hamilton has ramped up pressure on Ferrari after the Canadian GP.

Lewis Hamilton Frustrated by Ferrari’s Lack of Progress and Demands Shift Toward 2026 Focus

Lewis Hamilton secured another sixth-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, replicating his result from recent races. While the outcome was respectable given Ferrari’s current performance, it fell short of the lofty expectations typically associated with the seven-time world champion.

Since his early Q2 elimination at Imola, Lewis Hamilton’s form has stabilised somewhat, consistently placing within the top six in every session that followed. However, a grid penalty in Monaco relegated him from fourth to seventh, adding to a growing sense of underachievement. Despite Ferrari’s position as the fourth-fastest team overall this season, their campaign has benefitted from Red Bull’s reliance on a single consistent points scorer, preventing the gap from growing wider.

In Montreal, Ferrari hinted at potential during practice sessions, but the promise quickly faded in the race itself. Both Charles Leclerc and Hamilton were largely absent from the front-running action, eventually finishing fifth and sixth, respectively. A late safety car played a crucial role in minimising the time deficit between them and the top four, masking what could have been a far more damaging result.

Charles Leclerc’s race was compromised by a puzzling strategy decision, while Lewis Hamilton encountered a series of issues that further hindered his performance. His car sustained damage after colliding with a groundhog, and he also raised concerns over his braking system during team radio communications.

Lewis Hamilton Presses Ferrari for Upgrades and Pushes for Early 2026 Development

In the lead-up to the Canadian Grand Prix and in its aftermath, Lewis Hamilton intensified pressure on Ferrari’s management, urging them to accelerate their development efforts. Notably, the official FIA documentation for the Montreal weekend showed no upgrades brought by Ferrari, raising further questions about their direction.

Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, has reportedly resisted the urge to introduce more updates, holding out hope that the FIA’s incoming front-wing regulation changes—effective from the Spanish Grand Prix—would ultimately work in Ferrari’s favour. However, after two races under the updated technical parameters, the Italian team has shown no clear improvement compared to their competitors.

Looking ahead, Ferrari plan to introduce a revised rear suspension package at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone. Still, their recent development rate has notably declined. The Briton is said to have expressed confusion, reportedly telling Gazzetta dello Sport that he did not understand why upgrades had not been brought sooner.

At the same time, the British driver has been advocating for Ferrari to begin prioritising the 2026 regulations. With sweeping technical changes on the horizon, Lewis Hamilton believes now is the right time to reallocate resources. He has made it clear that continuing to invest heavily in the underperforming SF-25 would be counterproductive, especially since both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles are realistically out of reach. Currently, Charles Leclerc trails Oscar Piastri by 94 points in the standings, while Ferrari as a team lags 191 points behind McLaren.

Lewis Hamilton’s broader objective is to ensure Ferrari lays a strong technical foundation for the new era starting in 2026. He believes a forward-looking approach is essential to guarantee a competitive car under the incoming regulations.

Lewis Hamilton’s Mixed Demands Put Fred Vasseur in a Difficult Position

The Briton’s dual focus—pushing for short-term improvements while urging a pivot toward long-term development—has placed Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur in a challenging situation. The two objectives, while understandable, may prove difficult to balance simultaneously.

Emotionally, Lewis Hamilton may still hope for a car capable of delivering wins or at least podium finishes before the season ends. However, pragmatically, he appears to be recognising that Ferrari’s efforts would be better spent preparing for future success.

Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok has commented that Hamilton is still in the process of building trust within Ferrari’s operational structure. For the British driver, restoring belief in the team’s ability to execute effectively will be vital if he intends to challenge for the 2025 title.

Evidence of Lewis Hamilton’s growing awareness of Ferrari’s tactical shortcomings emerged during qualifying in Montreal, where he reportedly questioned the team’s tyre choices via an unbroadcast radio message. These moments indicate that he is beginning to see the limits of Ferrari’s strategic acumen—suggesting that while the team may have the budget and infrastructure to compete, they still lack the race-day finesse needed to challenge for championships.