Hamilton Floods Ferrari with Improvement Notes Ahead of 2026, Will They Act?
Lewis Hamilton has provided Ferrari with an extensive list of improvements for their 2026 car, following a challenging 2025 season where the team struggled significantly. After finishing a winless year and observing key developmental gaps, Hamilton's detailed notes aim to address weaknesses and build on strengths. The critical challenge for Ferrari now is to act decisively on these recommendations to avoid repeating past struggles.
As Ferrari's challenging 2025 campaign concludes in Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton has revealed he's delivered a comprehensive "fix-it list" to the Scuderia, containing "so many notes" on how to improve. However, he admits it remains to be seen if the Italian team will "act on those" suggestions.
Why it matters:
Ferrari's underperformance, culminating in a winless season and significant development struggles, has highlighted a deep-seated need for change. Hamilton's insights, stemming from a season spent with the team and a career rich in championship experience, could be crucial for Ferrari's 2026 aspirations. His active role in identifying issues signals a hands-on approach from the seven-time World Champion, who joined Maranello with hopes of a title push.
The Details:
- Season Struggles: Ferrari's 2025 season has been marked by a significant drop in performance, particularly in the latter half. The team scored only 20 points across the last three events, reflecting a struggle to keep pace with rivals.
- Hamilton's Performance: Despite his stature, Hamilton faced a trying period, qualifying last in Las Vegas and failing to make Q1 for both the Qatar Sprint and Grand Prix. He finished 12th in the main race, trailing midfield cars like Williams and nearly being overtaken by a Stake car.
- Hamilton described the year as "the most challenging both in and out of the car," emphasizing the team's "undeveloped" state compared to rivals.
- Strategic Shift: Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed Ferrari shifted its focus to the 2026 regulations as early as April, driven by early doubts about their ability to catch McLaren and other top teams. While Vasseur defended the decision, he acknowledged it might have negatively impacted team morale.
- Hamilton's Blueprint: Hamilton has been compiling a detailed dossier of improvements throughout the year, encompassing everything from addressing weaknesses to amplifying strengths. This initiative was first hinted at last summer.
- He expressed optimism, stating, "There's literally no reason why we couldn't fix those if we just put those into action. I'm hopeful for us making progress."
What's next:
The crucial question for Ferrari heading into the winter break is whether they will implement Hamilton's "notes" swiftly and effectively. The upcoming Project 678, which will be the first car under Chassis Director Loic Serra since his arrival last October, is expected to embody Ferrari's new direction. The team's response to Hamilton's feedback will determine if 2026 can be a turning point or a repetition of 2025's tough lessons.