Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton hinted at internal team unrest following the Canadian Grand Prix, suggesting underlying issues within the Italian racing team.
His tenure at Ferrari began with high expectations and excitement, but it has rapidly deteriorated into a challenging ordeal after a turbulent first 10 races with the Scuderia. Amid performance setbacks, new insights are surfacing about possible reasons for the disappointing start.
The British driver disclosed that behind-the-scenes dynamics at Ferrari are hindering progress.
“The mindset for me, I’m like ‘there’s a lot of changes that need to be made in the system.’ I wish I could tell you what’s happening. There’s a lot going on in the background,” Hamilton told Sky Sports Italy.
“Yeah, I can’t say too much about it. There’s so many things I wish I could tell you that could explain the things that have happened this year, the problems we had, and what’s going on within the organization.”
Hamilton remains focused on driving positive change despite the challenges. “But my goal is to try and positively influence, try and get change so we can have long-term success. ‘There’s a lot of changes that we need. For me it’s that foundation building. We’re not fighting for a championship.'”
He also expressed frustration with the SF-25, openly requesting upgrades. “Of course I’m asking for these things [upgrades],” Hamilton added. “I don’t know why we haven’t been bringing upgrades, I think we have one hopefully coming soon.”
Ferrari and Hamilton entered the season with championship aspirations, but the team has yet to secure a Grand Prix victory this year, with only a sprint race win in China to their name. This lack of success underscores the urgency for improvement as the season progresses.
Charles Leclerc, driving the No. 16 car, consistently extracts the maximum potential from the vehicle, achieving surprising results well above expectations at most races. The Monaco native has contended for pole position on several occasions this season, showcasing his adaptability and skill.
Conversely, Hamilton continues to face difficulties in qualifying, frequently being outpaced by Leclerc. The seven-time champion’s race pace remains impressive; he steadily advances through the grid from lower starting positions, though he consistently begins at a disadvantage.
Despite these challenges, Hamilton trails Leclerc by just one position, holding P6 and lagging by only 25 points, indicating that his current form is still relatively competitive with his teammate.
Should upgrades improve the car and Hamilton gain more confidence, he could start fulfilling the initial excitement surrounding his move. This potential turnaround remains a key focus as Ferrari aims to address its internal issues and enhance its performance in the coming races.