Frustrated by Ferrari’s continued struggles, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has taken matters into his own hands during his debut season with the legendary Italian team. The British racing icon revealed an extraordinary behind-the-scenes effort to transform Ferrari’s fortunes, spending his summer break immersed in crisis talks and drafting detailed improvement plans.
Hamilton’s determination stems from his refusal to accept Ferrari’s two-decade championship drought that has thwarted previous champions like Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. “I refuse for that to be the case with me,” Hamilton declared at the Belgian Grand Prix, emphasizing his commitment to breaking the cycle of underperformance. His approach reflects a driver going far beyond typical racing duties, determined to leave no stone unturned in Ferrari’s quest for success.
The 40-year-old champion invested four days at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters during the break, conducting multiple high-level meetings with president John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna, and team principal Fred Vasseur. He worked closely with technical director Loic Serra and various department heads, focusing on critical development areas for next year’s car including engine, front suspension, and rear suspension configurations. Hamilton’s hands-on involvement extended to preparing three comprehensive documents analyzing the team’s structural challenges and specific car issues that need addressing.
While teammate Charles Leclerc has managed four podium finishes in his seventh Ferrari season, Hamilton’s best results remain three fourth-place finishes – a stark contrast to his championship pedigree. The British driver openly acknowledged Ferrari’s organizational shortcomings, noting the massive team isn’t “firing on all cylinders” despite its rich history and resources. His critique comes as Ferrari trails dominant McLaren by more than half the constructors’ championship points.
Facing the twilight of his career, Hamilton emphasized the urgency of his mission, joking about 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli replacing him at Mercedes: “I don’t have as much time as this one here… It’s crunch time.” Yet his bullish belief in Ferrari’s potential remains unshaken, with this unprecedented hands-on approach potentially redefining how superstar drivers influence team operations in Formula 1’s new era. Hamilton’s Ferrari revolution represents not just a personal challenge, but a bold attempt to rewrite the Scuderia’s recent history of unfulfilled promise.
