Lewis Hamilton remains convinced that Ferrari possesses "absolutely every ingredient" needed for success, despite the team's recent struggles leading into F1's summer break. The initial wave of optimism surrounding Hamilton's move to Scuderia has waned, with the seven-time F1 champion achieving only one sprint victory this season and no podium finishes in 14 Grands Prix, contrasting sharply with teammate Charles Leclerc's five podiums.
Why it matters
Hamilton's unwavering belief in Ferrari is crucial as he navigates a challenging adaptation period. His commitment and vision are key to rallying the team and maintaining morale amidst a season that has seen Ferrari fail to consistently challenge McLaren.
The big picture
- Performance Nadir: Hamilton experienced his lowest point of the season in Hungary, failing to score points for the first time since China. He candidly criticized his own form, acknowledging the need for improvement.
- Adaptation Phase: Both Hamilton and Ferrari are in an ongoing period of adjustment, recognizing that significant transformation takes time.
Hamilton's perspective
Speaking to the media, Hamilton emphasized the importance of adaptation and the team's inherent drive for improvement.
"It's just trying to understand the environment that you're in, that you have to adapt," Hamilton said. "And I think the people you work with ultimately will learn to adapt, to cater to you."
He highlighted the positive aspects of his experience so far:
- "There have been so many great things, and the response has been amazing to the steps that we have taken in all areas."
- "The passion and the desire to continue to do better is what's the most amazing thing. In this team, everyone wants to do better and find ways to be better."
- "That's why I know this team has absolutely every ingredient that is needed to succeed. I truly believe in that. That's why I signed."
Strategic input and leadership
Prior to the Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton revealed he had compiled a dossier of potential improvements, leveraging his extensive experience from Mercedes. This was followed by team principal Fred Vasseur signing a new contract, quashing speculation about his future.
Regarding his suggestions, Hamilton noted, "It was just ideas, like, 'Hey, what if we did this?; Have we tried this? If we did this, perhaps we can ease up in certain areas, or we can be better.' It's about having conversations, and Fred has been really responsive."
What's next
Hamilton's continued input and Vasseur's renewed leadership will be vital as Ferrari aims to improve its performance and close the gap to competitors in the second half of the season.