Lewis Hamilton Urges Ferrari to Implement His Improvement Suggestions
Lewis Hamilton is urging Ferrari to implement his extensive recommendations for improvement after what he describes as his most challenging season. The seven-time champion, who has struggled significantly and is yet to secure a podium, has compiled numerous notes on areas where the Italian team must act to become more competitive, signaling a critical period for Ferrari to leverage his experience.
Lewis Hamilton has called on Ferrari to "act" on his recommendations, claiming he has "so many notes" on things the Italian team must improve. The seven-time F1 drivers' champion has endured a miserable first season with the Scuderia, failing to reach the podium and currently 78 points behind Charles Leclerc in the standings.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's move to Ferrari was anticipated to elevate the team, yet his initial season has been fraught with challenges. His candid remarks about needed improvements highlight significant internal issues at Ferrari and underscore the pressure on the team to leverage his vast experience to regain competitiveness before the new regulations cycle.
The Details:
- Hamilton has failed to secure a podium finish in his first season with Ferrari, a stark contrast to his illustrious career. He currently trails teammate Charles Leclerc by a substantial 78 points.
- He recently experienced a challenging run of three successive Q1 eliminations, including sprint qualifying in Qatar, which culminated in a difficult weekend at the Lusail International Circuit.
- During the Qatar Grand Prix, Hamilton started P17 and managed to climb to P12 by the chequered flag, describing the race as enjoyable "as much as I could."
- Hamilton reflected on this season as "the most challenging year [of my career], both in and out of the car."
- He has compiled extensive "notes in terms of things that we need to improve on," building on previous documents that detailed areas for the Maranello-based squad to address.
- Hamilton expressed hope for progress, stating, "Time will tell whether or not we act upon those things, and we keep hold of the things that are good and change the things that are not — and there's plenty of those."
- He believes there is "literally no reason why we couldn't fix those. We just [need to] put those into action."
What's next:
Hamilton's direct challenge to Ferrari comes as the team prepares for the final round of a regulations cycle that has largely eluded his success. His recommendations could be pivotal for Ferrari's performance in the upcoming seasons, especially with the anticipation of new regulations in 2026. The onus is now on Ferrari to demonstrate its ability to assimilate Hamilton's feedback and translate it into tangible on-track improvements, aiming to put his vast experience to effective use.