Lewis Hamilton Finds Silver Lining in Ferrari's Current Struggles

Lewis Hamilton, despite a challenging debut season with Ferrari and still awaiting his first podium, sees a positive in the team's current struggles: valuable learning experiences before the 2026 regulation changes. The seven-time champion emphasizes the team's growing unity and focus on improvement, backed by team principal Fred Vasseur.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's long title drought, extending since 2008, combined with major regulation changes in 2026, makes their current period of 'shortcomings' a critical learning phase. Hamilton's perspective highlights a strategic advantage: identifying and rectifying issues now, rather than when a championship is on the line. This could be pivotal for Ferrari's future competitiveness, especially with Hamilton's impending arrival.

The details:

• Challenging Debut: Hamilton has yet to secure a podium finish in his first season with Ferrari, and has frequently been outpaced by teammate Charles Leclerc.
• Vasseur's Support: Team Principal Fred Vasseur, instrumental in bringing Hamilton to Ferrari, has consistently defended him, fostering a strong team bond.
  • Hamilton expressed appreciation, stating, "Fred supporting me has been amazing." He added, "It’s not been the perfect year, as we know, but it’s been a lot of learning, and I think we’re just going from strength to strength."
• Team Unity: Despite performance issues, Hamilton notes a positive internal development: "I think we are more solid and more united as a team than ever before."
• Learning from Shortcomings: Hamilton believes that addressing current deficiencies now is crucial. "Our shortcomings are things that it’s better to have now when we’re not fighting for a championship, than in the moment we are."

The big picture:

Ferrari entered the year with championship aspirations but has fallen behind runaway leaders McLaren. However, the impending 2026 regulation overhaul offers a clean slate. Hamilton's focus on current learning underscores a strategic long-term view, aiming to leverage this period to build a more robust and competitive package for the future. The emphasis on unity and continuous improvement suggests a foundational shift within the team.

What's next:

Ferrari is intensely focused on leveraging their current challenges to improve processes. Each race serves as a learning opportunity to refine their approach ahead of the new regulations. If they can effectively address their weaknesses and harness their growing internal strength, the Italian squad could be in a much stronger position to challenge for titles when the new regulations take effect, potentially ending their championship drought.