Recent rumors have suggested that Lewis Hamilton is not being heard at Ferrari, but according to Engineer Luigi Mazzola, the issue is simpler than it seems.
Hamilton’s struggles in Las Vegas
Lewis Hamilton finished the final race in Las Vegas in tenth position, later upgraded to eighth following the double disqualification of the McLarens for excessive floor wear. Another unsatisfying result for the seven-time world champion, with Luigi Mazzola explaining why the Briton’s input hasn’t been fully considered since his arrival in Italy.
Poor qualifying in Las Vegas ruined Hamilton’s chances in the race. The English driver qualified 20th after a small mistake cost him the opportunity to advance to the next session. A good start allowed him to climb back into the points, although he ultimately struggled and even finished behind Nico Hulkenberg’s Stake car. This shows that adaptation difficulties after a year in red have not yet been overcome, making 2026 crucial for a reset and a fresh start.
Mazzola on the seven-time champion’s difficulties
“If you go slower than your teammate, you’re out. There’s nothing you can do. The team no longer has that power. The engineers working with him and trying to push his ideas forward don’t have much influence, they don’t carry weight. Essentially, the problem is this: he is slower than Leclerc,” Mazzola said. During the latest episode of Race Anatomy, the discussion focused on Hamilton’s recent struggles. Some suggested that the Briton is facing bureaucracy and procedural challenges within the Italian team, but Mazzola was clear: the seven-time world champion will not have any say if he does not outperform his teammate.
Ferrari’s need for reflection
However, Ferrari should also ask itself some questions. The Maranello team brought Hamilton to Italy to leverage his winning experience and to try to change the mindset of a team that has not won consistently for nearly twenty years. Yet, it seems there is little desire for this change, which is serious considering Ferrari represents the most successful and prestigious team in F1 history. As already noted, 2026 will be crucial to observe Ferrari’s future ambitions. Starting poorly under new regulations forces you to chase, and we know that is far from simple. Therefore, Ferrari will need to start strong immediately to lay the foundations for returning to the top of the sport.
Lewis Hamilton has two races left to show he can still out-pace Charles Leclerc on pure speed. If he can’t, Luigi Mazzola’s harsh reality suggests his voice inside the factory will stay quiet – no matter how many championships are on his CV.
