Ferrari engineer says Hamilton relationship is stronger than it appears

A senior Ferrari engineer has pushed back against external perceptions, insisting Lewis Hamilton's relationship with the team is far more positive than it looks from the outside. Matteo Togninalli, Ferrari's head of track engineering, acknowledged the challenges of Hamilton's transition from a 12-year stint at Mercedes but emphasized the strong foundation being built.

Why it matters:

Public narratives around Hamilton's difficult first season with Ferrari have often focused on frustration and underperformance. An insider's perspective challenging this view is significant, as team-driver harmony is critical for development and future success. A positive working relationship is essential if Ferrari hopes to build a car capable of returning Hamilton and the team to championship contention.

The details:

• Matteo Togninalli contextualized Hamilton's adaptation, noting the difficulty of changing teams after over a decade and adjusting to new people and processes.
• He directly linked external perceptions of tension to the team's failure to meet its championship goals this season, suggesting frustration has been misinterpreted as a poor relationship.
• Togninalli stated unequivocally that the relationship being built with Hamilton is "extremely positive," countering the external narrative.
• Hamilton himself has publicly defended Ferrari's strategic decisions, such as the early halt in development of the SF-25 car to focus on 2026, indicating alignment with the team's long-term vision.

The big picture:

Hamilton's 2025 season was objectively tough, marked by a podium drought and a fourth-place finish in the drivers' championship. Ferrari's simultaneous struggle to fourth in the constructors' standings created a perfect storm for negative external assessment. However, the first year of a major driver move, especially one involving a new regulations cycle on the horizon, is often a foundation-building phase. The team's decision to stop developing the current car early underscores a total commitment to the 2026 project, with Hamilton's reported buy-in being a crucial element.

What's next:

The true test of the relationship and its effectiveness will come with the performance of the 2026 car. With development now fully channeled into the new regulations package, Hamilton's experience and integration into the Ferrari system will be pivotal. If the internal confidence expressed by Togninalli translates into a competitive package, the narrative around Hamilton's move could shift rapidly from one of struggle to one of strategic foresight.