Just In:Hamilton’s Confusing Ferrari Remarks Highlight Concerns About…read more
A puzzling exchange between Lewis Hamilton and a journalist during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend has reignited speculation that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion may be out of sync with his new team, Ferrari, particularly regarding their development plans for the 2025 season.
Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari in 2025 after his long tenure with Mercedes, made comments recently that raised eyebrows in the paddock. He hinted at uncertainty about whether any upgrades were being made to the 2025-spec SF-25 car and suggested that Ferrari’s focus might already be shifting to 2026 — the year major regulation changes come into effect. These remarks sparked concerns that Ferrari could be writing off next season prematurely, potentially compromising Hamilton’s competitiveness from the outset.
However, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur moved to counter those claims during the Canadian GP, stating that the team is actively working on developments aimed at boosting their performance in 2025. He assured that upgrades are indeed in the pipeline and emphasized Ferrari’s continued commitment to competing strongly next season.
Despite Vasseur’s assurances, a now-viral clip from the drivers’ parade in Montreal added a fresh layer of confusion. When Hamilton was asked by a journalist whether new Ferrari upgrades played a role in his strong qualifying result—he started fifth, ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc—Hamilton seemed caught off guard. “What upgrades?” he asked with a bemused expression, then added: “Zero upgrades. We need one!”
This exchange not only revealed a possible disconnect between Hamilton and the team’s technical communication but also fueled the narrative that Ferrari’s internal cohesion ahead of 2025 may not be as solid as hoped.
In the race itself, Hamilton’s early promise in qualifying didn’t translate to a strong result. He was overtaken by Leclerc and eventually crossed the finish line in sixth place, a position far from where a driver of his calibre is expected to be. It later emerged that he suffered damage to his car after hitting a groundhog on track, reportedly costing him up to 20 points of downforce — a significant handicap in a race where aerodynamics play a crucial role.
Hamilton currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings, trailing Leclerc by 25 points. With both Ferrari drivers struggling to consistently challenge for podiums, the pressure is mounting on the team to deliver upgrades that can bridge the gap to frontrunners Red Bull and McLaren.
While 2026 remains a major turning point for Formula 1 and its engine regulations, both Hamilton and Ferrari know that entering that new era on the back foot could damage their long-term ambitions. For now, though, the communication gaps and lack of progress in 2025 development raise tough questions about the direction Ferrari is heading—and whether Hamilton’s gamble to join the Scuderia will pay off.
