FERRARI CRYPTIC: Lewis Hamilton’s cryptic Ferrari background remark ‘deciphered’… Read more
Lewis Hamilton’s cryptic Ferrari background remark ‘deciphered’
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was expected to spark a new chapter of success, but just months into their collaboration, tensions are already surfacing at Maranello. Reports from Gazzetta dello Sport suggest the seven-time world champion has delivered a pointed critique of the Scuderia’s methods, car characteristics, and overall approach, with his words during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend about “things going on in the background” now taking on added meaning.
According to the Italian outlet, Hamilton has laid out a series of demands after enduring one of the most difficult campaigns of his career in 2025. The Briton is said to be frustrated with Ferrari’s organisational structure, its communication flow, and even the way race weekends are managed. His frustrations extend beyond management and touch on the very car he is driving.
Hamilton has reportedly highlighted his unhappiness with the SF-25’s braking system and steering behaviour. Compared to his former Mercedes machinery, Ferrari’s engine braking is allegedly too aggressive, leaving him without full confidence when approaching corners. The car’s tendency toward oversteer has only amplified those concerns, and Hamilton has complained that Ferrari’s simulator does not allow him to explore alternative setup solutions to correct the problem.
These issues have left Hamilton feeling compromised, particularly on balance and aerodynamics, and he has pressed Ferrari to address them urgently as they prepare for the 2026 regulations. But the problem does not end with Hamilton’s discomfort — his preferred setup philosophy appears to be in direct opposition to that of teammate Charles Leclerc.
This divergence could prove a significant complication for Ferrari. Maranello had assumed Hamilton and Leclerc would gravitate toward similar car setups, given the apparent likeness in their driving styles. Instead, the opposite has occurred. Hamilton prefers more weight on the front axle to generate confidence and sharper turn-in, while Leclerc leans toward the rear-biased balance that suits his style. The clash in approaches has reportedly turned intra-team data sharing into what Gazzetta describes as “unproductive,” since lessons learned on one side of the garage cannot easily be transferred to the other.
The standoff raises uncomfortable questions for Ferrari’s long-term strategy. Designing a car to suit two world-class drivers who require such different balance characteristics is a delicate challenge — particularly with the sweeping technical changes arriving in 2026. For Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in search of renewed competitiveness and a potential record-breaking eighth title, these early obstacles are far from ideal. For Leclerc, who has built his identity as the team’s mainstay over recent seasons, the situation adds another layer of complexity as he adjusts to sharing the team with an established legend.
Ferrari now finds itself facing the dual task of refining its current machinery to satisfy Hamilton’s demands, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a 2026 car that avoids alienating either driver. Failure to achieve that balance risks internal friction that could undermine the team’s bid to return to the top.
Hamilton’s cryptic Hungarian GP remark about “background issues” now appears to be a subtle nod toward these brewing tensions — tensions that could shape Ferrari’s future far more than initially anticipated.
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