Lewis Hamilton Sparks Internal Fight as Ferrari Struggles to Listen

Lewis Hamilton is at the heart of an internal dispute at Ferrari following a challenging opening to the 2025 Formula 1 season, with disagreements between the driver and the team over how to improve performance. The ongoing conflict involves Hamilton pushing for changes while Ferrari shows reluctance to alter its established methods.

The situation escalated after the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Hamilton’s frustrations became public, highlighting the growing divide in the team dynamics and strategy. This difficult start contrasts with expectations of Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, after his high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari in the offseason.

Ferrari’s Struggle to Address Hamilton’s Concerns

Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has been far from smooth, as he has yet to achieve a podium finish in his first 14 races with the team. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, his qualifying position dropped to 12th, while teammate Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first pole of the season, intensifying scrutiny on Hamilton’s performance and role within the team.

During the Hungarian weekend, Hamilton openly described himself as “useless” and suggested Ferrari should consider replacing him, reflecting the depth of his frustration. Beyond his self-criticism, he hinted at deeper issues within Ferrari’s management. He said,

“There’s a lot going on in the background that’s not great.”

In an attempt to address these issues, Hamilton disclosed that he had submitted detailed proposals to Ferrari, suggesting technical and organizational changes aimed at boosting the team’s results and his own competitiveness.

Hamilton’s Team Battle with Traditional Ferrari Culture

Juan Pablo Montoya, former Formula 1 driver for Williams and McLaren, believes the tension at Ferrari stems from a clash of cultures and ideas, with Hamilton’s progressive demands conflicting with Ferrari’s traditional approach. Montoya emphasized that Hamilton’s public comments were not signs of collapse but rather a message to the team: that if his input isn’t valued, it might be better to move on.

Montoya explained the core of the conflict:

“The big thing here is Lewis is not getting the attention he wants and they’re not paying attention enough to him for what he wants and what he’s pushing for.”

He further described Ferrari’s structured and political environment, which contrasts with Hamilton’s experience at Mercedes. He said,

“Lewis is more used to Mercedes’ outlook which is: ‘What do we need to do to win?’”

and added,

“It’s not about politics; it’s about results at Mercedes.”

Montoya believes this fundamental difference in mentality is fueling the internal friction, with Hamilton advocating for change and adaptation, while Ferrari prefers sticking to its historic methods.

Ferrari Leadership Responds to Hamilton’s Difficulties

Ferrari’s team principal Fred Vasseur has publicly addressed Hamilton’s complaints, suggesting that the driver tends to exaggerate the car’s problems and his own struggles, which can worsen the situation publicly. Vasseur encouraged patience and calm, highlighting Hamilton’s self-critical nature and desire to extract maximum performance from himself and the team.

Commenting on the Hungarian weekend, Vasseur noted that Hamilton was only a tenth of a second behind Leclerc in qualifying, indicating the margin was not as large as it may seem. He said,

“The message he sends out only makes things worse.”

Vasseur also explained that Hamilton’s extreme comments are mostly directed at the media and that by the time he is in team meetings, he usually has a calmer outlook. He expressed understanding of Hamilton’s high demands:

“He demands a lot. From others, but also from himself. I can live with that.”

The team principal acknowledged that resolving the issues is a step-by-step process, noting that small technical details, such as braking feel, can cost valuable tenths of a second, which can impact qualifying positions drastically. According to Vasseur, Hamilton’s frustration sometimes stems from these tiny margins that are difficult to isolate and fix quickly.

He added,

“The team then naturally wants to respond and everyone jumps on the problem.”

Implications for Ferrari and Hamilton’s 2025 Campaign

This ongoing dispute between Hamilton and Ferrari underscores one of the biggest challenges for the team in 2025: balancing a respected legacy and internal culture with the urgent need for innovation and improved competitive results. Hamilton’s persistence in advocating for change reflects his determination to avoid the pitfalls experienced by past Ferrari greats like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who failed to secure titles with the Scuderia despite their success elsewhere.

If Ferrari cannot reconcile these internal differences and adapt quickly, their title ambitions may continue to falter. Hamilton’s vocal frustrations, combined with the team’s traditionalist stance, suggest a season marked by tension and uncertainty. How Ferrari negotiates this conflict will be crucial for their championship hopes and Hamilton’s legacy within the team.