Ex-Ferrari Boss Arrivabene Criticizes Hamilton's 'Dossiers', Draws Parallel to Vettel

Former Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has sharply criticized Lewis Hamilton's practice of sending detailed technical feedback to the Scuderia, dismissing it as largely ineffective and drawing a direct comparison to Sebastian Vettel's similar approach during his own troubled tenure at Maranello. Arrivabene argues that drivers should provide feedback from the cockpit, not attempt to play the role of an engineer, a stance that highlights a persistent cultural tension within Ferrari's operations.

Why it matters:

Arrivabene's comments publicly underscore a fundamental and recurring challenge at Ferrari: integrating superstar drivers into its engineering-centric culture. His critique, coming amid a reportedly strained relationship between Hamilton and the team during a difficult 2025 season, suggests that past conflicts are repeating themselves. It raises questions about whether Ferrari's structure can effectively harness the input of its most experienced and decorated drivers.

The details:

• Arrivabene revealed that Sebastian Vettel also regularly sent detailed technical "dossiers" during his time at Ferrari, a habit he views as "almost useless."
• He emphasized a clear boundary: "The driver must give relevant feedback when the car is on track so that the engineers can improve it in a targeted manner... but if a driver starts playing the engineer, then it's over."
• Technical Justification: Arrivabene bases his view on the complexity of a modern F1 car, which consists of over 50,000 components. He argues that even multiple world champions lack the depth of understanding that comes from full-time engineering work, noting that drivers get a "general impression" from simulator work, but "the devil is in the detail."
• Timing and Context: The remarks arrive during a turbulent first season for Hamilton at Ferrari, marked by frustration, misunderstandings, and growing retirement rumors. Arrivabene's words serve as an indirect warning to Hamilton about the potential pitfalls of Ferrari's internal dynamics.

The big picture:

This public airing of a classic Ferrari dilemma—driver input versus engineering sovereignty—is a reminder of the team's struggles to build a seamless, championship-winning partnership with its lead drivers. Vettel's ultimate failure to win a title with the team is now framed as a cautionary tale for Hamilton. Arrivabene's intervention suggests that for all the changes in personnel, certain foundational cultural attitudes within the Scuderia remain deeply ingrained, potentially hindering its ability to capitalize fully on the talent it recruits.