Lewis Hamilton has taken a proactive leadership role at Ferrari by spearheading a significant internal restructuring focused on building a competitive Formula 1 car for the 2026 season. Having joined Ferrari in January 2025, Hamilton is now six months into his new chapter and has quickly identified the key areas where the team needs to evolve to become championship contenders again. With his impressive track record, including seven world titles, Ferrari sees Hamilton as the ideal figure to guide the team’s development push, especially since their last drivers’ championship win came in 2007 with Kimi Räikkönen.
During the recent F1 break following the British Grand Prix, Hamilton stayed busy rather than taking time off. He revealed that he spent several days at Ferrari’s headquarters, engaging deeply with the team’s technical and leadership staff. These meetings focused on reviewing performance from recent races, pinpointing areas that require change, and preparing future strategies. Hamilton was particularly involved in initiating and participating in meetings that involved key figures like Ferrari Chairman John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna, and Team Principal Fred Vasseur.
In addition to top-level discussions, Hamilton also worked closely with the engineering team. He met with department heads, including Loic Serra and others responsible for various elements of the car’s performance. They discussed power unit plans, as well as front and rear suspension designs for next year’s model. Hamilton explained that he provided detailed feedback and documentation on both the current car’s problems and ideas for the 2026 model. These efforts are part of an ongoing dialogue he’s maintained with the team since the start of the season.
Hamilton highlighted that part of the structural changes being discussed involve improving internal systems and communication within the team. While some elements from the current car will carry forward to next year, many aspects need to be improved or completely overhauled. His technical reports have been instrumental in outlining the problems and proposing solutions, demonstrating his commitment to helping Ferrari build a car that can challenge for titles once again.
Work on the 2026 car has already started, and Hamilton was directly involved in its initial development sessions. He described a moment where around 30 engineers gathered to debrief with him, emphasizing the collaborative and intensive nature of this early design phase. Alongside these efforts, Hamilton maintained a strict personal training regimen, admitting he may have overtrained slightly ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. His dedication off the track is a clear signal of his determination to lead Ferrari to renewed glory in the years ahead.
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