Hamilton explains why he’s going all-in with helping Ferrari with 2026 design
In his own appearance in this press conference, Hamilton has opened up on how he’s been working with Ferrari and says he’s been quite involved in the design and development of next year’s car.
And he’s had suggestions of his own; he’s sent documents to the team detailing with his own inputs on the direction for 2026.
“I was at the factory two weeks, a couple days each week. We did preparation, naturally going over where we were on the previous race, things that we need to change.
“I hold a lot of meetings, so I’ve called on lots of meetings with the heads of the team, so I’ve sat with John, Benedetto and Fred in several meetings. I’ve sat with the head of our car development, with Loic, with also the heads of different departments, talking about engine for next year, talking about front suspension for next year, talking about rear suspension for next year, things that you want, issues that you have, that I have with this car.
“I’ve sent documents, so I’ve done through the year. After the first few races, I did a full document for the team. Then during this break, I had another two documents that I sent in, and so then I come in and want to address those. Some of its structural adjustments that we need to make as a team in order to get better, and all the areas that we want to improve, and then the other one was really about the car, the current issues that I have with this car.”
How come Hamilton has got so involved with his inputs for 2026? Perhaps he feels he’s not got much time left in F1, so wants to make his mark as he angles for an eighth title.
“The reason for it is that I see a huge amount of potential within this team, the passion – nothing comes close. It is a huge organisation with a lot of moving parts, but parts are not firing on all the cylinders that they need to be. That’s ultimately why the team hasn’t had the success I feel it deserves.
“I feel it’s my job to challenge every area and challenge everybody in the team, especially the guys at the top who are making the decision. If you look at the team in the last 20 years, they’ve had amazing drivers – Kimi, Fernando, Sebastian. I refuse for that to be the case with me.
“I’m going the extra mile. I’m fortunate to have had experiences in two other great teams. For sure things are going to be different, it’s a difficult culture and everything, but if you take the same path all the time you get the same result.”
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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