Seven-Time Formula One Champion Shows Leadership in Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton has not only joined Ferrari, but he’s also actively working to transform it from the inside out. Over the past two weeks, he’s spent multiple days at Maranello, diving deep into team structure and car design. He has held frequent discussions with Ferrari’s chairman John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna, team principal Fred Vasseur, and technical heads like Loïc Serra. Hamilton has even sent multiple detailed documents to the team, one early in the season, then two more during the summer break, highlighting key issues with the SF‑25 and proposing structural changes within the team. This is more than a fresh face at the wheel; this is a champion driving change. Hamilton’s documents cover two main areas: team structure and car performance. In them, he calls for clear roles, tighter decision-making, and more accountability across departments.
On the car side, he highlights problems with engine braking, front and rear suspension, and general adaptability of the SF‑25. He insists these changes are vital if Ferrari wants to break its long championship drought, and not repeat the failure of great drivers who came before him. As Hamilton pointed out, legends like Alonso and Vettel didn’t win titles here, and he “refuses for that to be the case” for himself. Hamilton also laid out clear planning for 2026, showing he is focused on the future up front. He discussed next year’s engine, front and rear suspension, and chassis design in meetings with technical leads. During one session, he reviewed the very first iteration of the 2026 car, calling in around 30 engineers to debrief line by line on progress and limitations so far.
Such detailed involvement is rare for a driver, but Hamilton sees it as essential if Ferrari is to develop a car capable of winning again. Hamilton acknowledges that Ferrari’s passion and history are unmatched, but also that many talented individuals are not aligned or driving toward the same goal. He says Ferrari is “a huge team” that hasn’t functioned in unison for years. He believes he now must challenge every level of the organization, especially leadership, to seize the potential within. He has drawn direct comparisons to the leadership patience Mercedes had during its rebuild phase, and warns Ferrari must avoid reactive changes during poor results. Hamilton is here to win, and he expects Ferrari to finally be ready for him.
