Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence at Ferrari is not only transforming the Scuderia’s fortunes on track, but it is also creating growing excitement behind the scenes at Maranello. According to former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley, the atmosphere within the team has changed dramatically in recent months, with many long-serving Ferrari employees becoming increasingly enthusiastic about the seven-time Formula 1 world champion.
Just one season ago, the situation looked very different. Lewis Hamilton endured one of the most difficult campaigns of his Formula 1 career, struggling to consistently challenge at the front and finishing well behind teammate Charles Leclerc in the intra-team battle. Questions were raised about whether the British driver could still perform at the level that had made him one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport.
Fast forward to 2026, and the narrative has completely changed.
Under Formula 1’s new regulations, Ferrari has emerged as a genuine front-running force, while Lewis Hamilton has rediscovered the form that helped him secure seven world championships. The British driver’s breakthrough victory at the Spanish Grand Prix marked a significant milestone, not only because it was his first win in Ferrari colors, but also because of the manner in which it was achieved.
Rather than benefiting from unusual circumstances or strategic fortune, Lewis Hamilton delivered a dominant performance, crossing the finish line more than nineteen seconds ahead of George Russell and confirming Ferrari’s growing competitiveness.
With momentum building and the championship battle still very much alive, the Briton now trails Kimi Antonelli by just 41 points in the standings, placing him firmly in contention for another title challenge.
Rob Smedley reveals the mood inside Ferrari
Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast, former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley offered a fascinating glimpse into how Lewis Hamilton is being viewed within the walls of Maranello.
Smedley, who spent nearly a decade in Maranello and worked closely with some of the team’s most successful figures, explained that many of his former colleagues have been celebrating Lewis Hamilton’s recent achievements and are delighted by the impact he has made since joining the Scuderia.
According to Rob Smedley, conversations with current Ferrari personnel and exchanges in private chat groups involving former colleagues reveal a level of enthusiasm that has continued to grow with every strong result.
The former Ferrari engineer noted that the team had endured a lengthy period without a race victory before Barcelona and emphasized that Lewis Hamilton’s success was especially meaningful because it was earned through outright pace and execution rather than circumstances falling in Ferrari’s favor.
Rob Smedley indicated that many people inside Ferrari are thrilled with Lewis Hamilton’s arrival and increasingly optimistic about what he could achieve with the team. He suggested that if Lewis Hamilton continues winning races, strengthens the organization, and helps guide Ferrari toward future world championships, he could become one of the most beloved figures in the modern history of the Scuderia.
In fact, Rob Smedley hinted that some observers inside Ferrari are beginning to see similarities with the impact Michael Schumacher had on the team during his legendary period of success. While such comparisons remain premature, the mere fact they are being discussed highlights how quickly Lewis Hamilton’s reputation within Ferrari has grown.
According to Rob Smedley, whether through conversations with Ferrari employees or through coverage in the Italian media, there is a clear sense that support for Lewis Hamilton is increasing rapidly. The British driver’s ability to connect with the workforce, inspire confidence, and deliver results is reportedly making a strong impression throughout the organization.
Lewis Hamilton’s influence extends beyond race results
Ferrari’s recent progress cannot be attributed solely to race wins. Lewis Hamilton has also played a key role in shaping the technical direction of the SF-26, with several developments introduced during the season reflecting feedback provided by the experienced driver.
His adaptation to Maranello machinery has accelerated significantly since the opening races, while his understanding of the team’s systems, procedures, and working methods continues to improve.
At the same time, Charles Leclerc remains a vital component of Ferrari’s long-term project. The Monegasque driver has contributed extensively to the development of the car and remains one of the fastest drivers on the Formula 1 grid. However, recent performances have inevitably shifted much of the spotlight toward Lewis Hamilton.
That shift in attention is understandable given the British driver’s recent results. Lewis Hamilton has outscored Charles Leclerc over the past several race weekends and appears increasingly comfortable operating at the center of Ferrari’s championship ambitions.
The combination of experience, technical understanding, and renewed confidence has allowed Lewis Hamilton to maximize the opportunities presented by Ferrari’s improving package.
Guenther Steiner urges Lewis Hamilton to build on growing influence
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes the Briton should capitalize on the momentum generated by his Spanish Grand Prix victory and use his growing influence to push Ferrari even further forward.
Discussing the situation on The Red Flags podcast, Guenther Steiner argued that Lewis Hamilton’s success in Barcelona has strengthened his position within the team and given additional credibility to the technical direction he has been advocating.
According to Guenther Steiner, Ferrari’s decision to follow the seven-time world champion’s recommendations has already produced tangible results, making it even more important for the seven-time world champion to continue driving progress throughout the organization.
The former team boss suggested that victories create belief, and belief can be one of the most powerful tools in Formula 1. With the Italian side now seeing evidence that its recent choices are paying off, Lewis Hamilton is in a strong position to help maintain motivation and encourage further development.
That may prove crucial as Ferrari prepares for the next phase of the championship fight.
The Scuderia still faces intense competition from Mercedes and the rest of the leading teams, but the atmosphere surrounding Ferrari is undeniably different from what it was at the start of the season. Confidence is growing, expectations are rising, and Lewis Hamilton’s influence appears stronger than ever.
If the British driver can continue delivering results while helping Ferrari unlock additional performance, the excitement currently being expressed by former and current Ferrari personnel may only be the beginning of a much larger success story.
Leave a Reply