Lewis Hamilton has made it clear that he is taking an active leadership role at Ferrari as the team prepares for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Determined to avoid the fate of past champions like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel—who failed to win a title with Ferrari—Hamilton is working tirelessly behind the scenes. He has emphasized his commitment to doing everything within his power to ensure Ferrari returns to championship-winning form, breaking a title drought that dates back to Kimi Räikkönen’s 2007 triumph.
Hamilton’s efforts go well beyond driving. He has immersed himself in the team’s technical development, frequently visiting the Maranello factory to engage in meetings with top executives and engineers. These discussions have involved Ferrari chairman John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna, team boss Fred Vasseur, and other department heads. Hamilton has even created and submitted detailed technical documents outlining both his concerns with the current car and suggestions for next year’s model.
Recognizing that Ferrari is not yet operating at full efficiency, Hamilton has taken it upon himself to challenge every aspect of the organization. He believes that the team’s enormous potential and passion are being held back by internal inefficiencies and wants to help realign decision-making at every level. He’s especially focused on breaking the team out of stagnation and encouraging fresh perspectives and strategies.
The British driver has praised Ferrari’s willingness to listen and adapt, noting improvements in areas like marketing and sponsor engagement, as well as increasing collaboration among departments. By forming strong relationships within the organization and motivating staff, Hamilton is attempting to build a unified team culture that can compete at the highest level of the sport.
Ultimately, Hamilton’s urgency is fueled by time. Now in his 40s, he knows the window for winning an eighth world title is narrowing. In his own words, it’s “crunch time,” and he’s placing his full belief in Ferrari’s future. With a legendary legacy already in place, Hamilton’s sole focus during his time with the Scuderia is to add another championship to both his and Ferrari’s history.
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