Lewis Hamilton Urges Ferrari to Capitalize on 'Gems' Amidst Season Struggles and Upcoming Tests

Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari needs to sharpen its ability to capitalize on fleeting moments of performance brilliance, or "gems," if it hopes to secure second place in the constructors' championship this season. Despite a largely disappointing campaign, scattered flashes of potential, such as Hamilton's Chinese GP sprint win and his FP2 topping performance in Azerbaijan, have hinted at the car's underlying capabilities, which the team has struggled to consistently harness. With significant rule changes looming for the 2026 season, Ferrari is already laying groundwork, but a strong showing in Austin has narrowed the gap to Mercedes to just seven points, bringing Red Bull back into the mix for second. To secure the runner-up position, Hamilton stresses the need for Ferrari to convert these occasional bursts of pace into tangible results.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's inability to consistently extract maximum performance from its car has been a recurring theme, costing them valuable points and hindering their championship aspirations. Hamilton's comments highlight a critical operational challenge: translating raw speed into consistent race weekend success. Overcoming this will be crucial not only for this season's constructors' standings but also for building a more resilient and effective team culture ahead of the pivotal 2026 regulation changes.

The Details:

• Hamilton views the remaining six races as crucial "test weekends" to refine processes and improve operational execution within the team.
• He specifically pointed to instances like the Chinese GP sprint victory and a strong FP2 in Azerbaijan, where the team failed to fully capitalize on the car's performance potential.
• Focus on Improvement: The emphasis is on identifying what works well and discarding what doesn't, fostering continuous learning and adaptation.
• Team Cohesion: Hamilton underscored the importance of strengthening relationships and communication channels, from the trackside team to the factory staff in Maranello.
• Maximizing Every Opportunity: The goal is to "squeeze absolutely every point" possible from their performances, recognizing the hard work of everyone back at the factory.

What's Next:

With the constructor's battle for second place heating up, particularly with Mercedes and Red Bull in close contention, Ferrari's performance in the upcoming races will be critical. Hamilton's call for better execution suggests an internal drive to refine strategies and capitalize on every opportunity. The insights gained from these "test weekends" will undoubtedly feed into their long-term preparations for the 2026 season, which promises a major reset for all teams.