Hamilton denies Ferrari's early development halt had psychological impact

Lewis Hamilton has firmly denied that Ferrari's strategic decision to halt aerodynamic development on its 2025 car as early as April had any negative "psychological" impact on the team. The seven-time champion, who endured a podium-less season for the first time in his career, fully supported the move to focus resources on the major 2026 regulation changes, even as rivals continued to upgrade and Ferrari slipped to fourth in the constructors' standings.

Why it matters:

In a season where every competitive edge matters, Ferrari's choice to effectively write off 2025 development was a high-stakes gamble. It signals a complete strategic pivot towards the 2026 technical revolution, prioritizing long-term championship potential over short-term gains. Hamilton's public backing is crucial for internal morale and validates a painful but potentially visionary team direction.

The details:

• Team Principal Fred Vasseur revealed the Scuderia switched off development of the SF-25 from April to concentrate fully on the 2026 project.
• Rivals McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes continued bringing major upgrades throughout the season, which contributed to Ferrari's slide down the order.
• Hamilton described his 2025 season as a "nightmare" and called himself "useless" after a difficult Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying, yet he emphatically supported the development freeze.
• The driver stated he was "pushing for" the decision, arguing the team "can't fall behind the others in terms of development for the new car" due to the steep learning curve presented by the new regulations.

Between the lines:

Hamilton's comments reveal a driver and team aligned on a patient, forward-looking strategy, even in the face of immediate on-track struggle. His assertion that "no one anticipated" how far behind they would fall by year's end adds context—the team may have expected a performance dip, but not to the extent of losing touch with the podium entirely. This shared long-term vision is likely a cornerstone of Hamilton's high-profile move to Maranello, focusing on building a title-contending package for 2026 rather than fighting for scraps in 2025.

What's next:

All eyes are now on the 2026 car, known internally as Project 678. This will be the first Ferrari chassis overseen by Loic Serra since his arrival from Mercedes, embodying the team's new technical direction. The success or failure of this aggressive strategy will define Ferrari's and Hamilton's competitive future. If the early focus pays off, 2025's sacrifices will be seen as a masterstroke; if not, it will be a costly misstep.