Hamilton 'Happiest Ever' at Ferrari After Key Team Changes

Lewis Hamilton says he is in a "really happy place" at Ferrari after behind-the-scenes changes transformed his season. The seven-time champion struggled badly in 2025, branding himself "useless" after a dismal qualifying in Hungary and finishing the year without a single podium and three consecutive Q1 exits.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's adaptation to Ferrari was rocky, but the team's willingness to restructure around him—replacing his race engineer and altering internal processes—signals a renewed commitment to maximizing his potential. With Mercedes setting the pace early in 2026, a cohesive Hamilton-Ferrari partnership is crucial for any title challenge.

The details:

• Race engineer swap: Riccardo Adami, who failed to gel with Hamilton, was replaced by Kimi Raikkonen's former engineer Carlo Santi.
• Internal changes: Hamilton cited "so many changes internally, both within the team and how we operate back at the factory."
• Best-ever feeling: He described the collaboration as "the best it's ever been in terms of how we work together."
• Minor gripe: Hamilton noted "a couple of sponsor commitments too many" but otherwise called the environment "really good."

What's next:

With a revitalized Hamilton and a more streamlined operation, Ferrari aims to close the gap to Mercedes in the constructors' standings. The coming races will test whether the improved synergy translates into consistent front-running pace.

This article is based on comments Hamilton made to media including RacingNews365.