Ferrari Ultimatum as Lewis Hamilton Row Emerges Away from the Track
A growing storm appears to be brewing behind the scenes at Scuderia Ferrari, as internal tensions rise following the team’s recent ultimatum to staff and a separate dispute
involving incoming driver Lewis Hamilton. While on-track performances have been middling in the 2025 Formula 1 season, the Italian team is now dealing with mounting off-track drama that could threaten its long-term ambitions.
At the center of the controversy is a reported ultimatum delivered to key engineering and performance staff by Ferrari’s senior management. According to sources within the paddock, team principal Frédéric Vasseur
has made it clear that improvements must be made “within the next three races” or significant personnel changes could follow. Ferrari currently sits third in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing behind Red Bull and Mercedes, with inconsistent race results and ongoing reliability concerns.
“The atmosphere in Maranello is tense,” one insider claimed. “There’s a real sense that something big is about to happen if they don’t turn things around quickly. The pressure is on, and not everyone agrees with the leadership’s approach.”
Compounding Ferrari’s troubles is a reported off-track disagreement involving Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join the team in 2026 following his departure from Mercedes at the end of this season. While his move to Ferrari was initially celebrated as a historic union between Formula 1’s most successful driver and its most storied team, recent developments have raised eyebrows.
According to well-placed sources, Hamilton is said to be “frustrated and surprised” by recent decisions made by Ferrari’s leadership, particularly regarding the team’s technical direction and internal politics. The seven-time world champion is reportedly seeking greater clarity and influence in the team’s development strategy ahead of his arrival. This has led to growing tension between the Hamilton camp and certain factions within the team.
Hamilton’s representatives have denied that he is trying to exert control prematurely, but acknowledged that “open conversations are taking place” to ensure a successful transition.
A Ferrari spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of the alleged internal disputes but reiterated the team’s commitment to “long-term success with a focus on performance, unity, and innovation.”
Despite the official line, paddock whispers suggest there may be more to the story. Some believe that Hamilton’s influence is already being felt, and that his arrival is prompting a shift in culture at Ferrari — one that not everyone is ready for.
Former F1 driver and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle weighed in on the matter, saying, “Whenever a big name like Lewis Hamilton is on the move, it’s going to shake up the team he’s joining. But Ferrari is a unique beast. They’re proud, deeply traditional, and sometimes resistant to change. It’s crucial they manage this transition carefully.”
The situation also puts current Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in a difficult position. While Leclerc is contracted through 2026 and widely seen as the face of Ferrari’s future, Sainz is expected to exit at the end of the season to make room for Hamilton. Sainz, still performing strongly, has kept quiet publicly but is understood to be closely watching the power dynamics unfold.
The coming months will be pivotal for Ferrari. As they head into the European leg of the F1 calendar — with crucial races in Spain, Austria, and Britain — the team faces a dual challenge: finding form on the circuit and resolving tensions off it.
If the ultimatum issued by management is anything to go by, change is already in motion. Whether that change brings harmony or further division remains to be seen.
For now, Ferrari fans can only hope that the allure of Hamilton’s arrival will ultimately translate into a new era of success — rather than a fresh chapter of chaos.
