Former Aston Martin strategist warns Hamilton’s Ferrari push could echo Vettel’s early friction
Lewis Hamilton’s internal reports to Ferrari have raised worries he may feel ignored, echoing Bernie Collins’ ‘worried’ reaction to Sebastian Vettel’s arrival. Ferrari must blend ideas with team cohesion.
Hamilton’s internal reports to Ferrari, packed with technical suggestions, have raised concerns he may feel ignored. Former Aston Martin strategist Bernie Collins recalls feeling ‘worried’ when Sebastian Vettel joined the team, fearing his critical style could clash with processes. The similarity underscores how Ferrari must balance driver input with internal cohesion.
Why it matters:
Hamilton’s perspective carries weight – a seven‑time champion whose technical insight can accelerate development. Ferrari’s current podium‑less season for Hamilton makes any disconnect risky, and internal friction could undermine the team’s ability to compete with Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren.
The details:
- Hamilton’s only highlight has been a Sprint win in China from pole; he has yet to secure a full‑race podium with Ferrari.
- He’s been feeding Ferrari an internal ‘improvement dossier’ covering aerodynamics, tyre strategy and power‑unit integration.
- Tensions have surfaced with race engineer Riccardo Adami, while his long‑time engineer Peter Bonnington stayed at Mercedes, and Ferrari’s John Elkann has urged drivers to “focus on driving, talk less” after São Paulo.
What's next:
Ferrari must decide whether to give Hamilton a formal feedback channel, perhaps by appointing a technical liaison, and rebuild trust with his engineers. Vasseur’s acknowledgement hints at possible reshuffles, while Collins’ experience with Vettel shows that dialogue can eventually align the team. Acting on Hamilton’s ideas could close the performance gap; ignoring them may prolong internal friction into next season.