As the 2025 Formula 1 season continues to unfold, Ferrari’s development strategy has come under intense scrutiny.

After a disappointing start to the year, with the team’s performance drastically underwhelming compared to expectations, Ferrari has made the bold decision to shift its development focus to 2026. But there’s a twist that has fans and pundits alike on edge: the team’s renewed focus on incorporating feedback from none other than seven-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.

The question remains: how much influence will Hamilton have on Ferrari’s 2026 car? And perhaps more importantly, will Ferrari be willing to adapt their car to better suit his driving style, given the feedback he’s provided thus far?

These questions have the potential to reshape Ferrari’s future in Formula 1, and Hamilton’s involvement might be the catalyst the Scuderia needs to return to championship contention.

Ferrari’s Struggles in 2025 and the Shift to 2026

Ferrari’s development in 2025 has raised eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. After a promising 2024 season where the team showed significant improvements and appeared to be closing the gap to McLaren, Ferrari’s 2025 car has faltered. Their car, once thought to be capable of competing at the top, has been one of the most disappointing in terms of its development curve. In the face of these challenges, Ferrari has decided to shift its attention toward the 2026 season, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for the team’s future.

While the switch to focusing on 2026 may seem like an acknowledgment that their 2025 car is beyond repair, it has also led to speculation that this decision might be driven by a desire to better align the car with Hamilton’s feedback. If there’s anyone who knows how to extract performance from a car, it’s Hamilton. His input could be pivotal in reshaping Ferrari’s future success.

A Fresh Approach: Hamilton’s Role in Ferrari’s Development

Ferrari’s previous challenges in 2025 centered on a car that neither Hamilton nor Charles Leclerc was able to extract the desired performance from, despite both drivers working tirelessly with the team. Hamilton, who has spent the majority of his career at Mercedes—a team that has consistently been at the top of the grid—has had the chance to experience and understand what makes a championship-winning car tick. His experience and feedback are invaluable to Ferrari, especially as the team seeks to bridge the gap between themselves and Red Bull.

For Hamilton, 2025 has been a frustrating year. As he explained, “I’ve tried all the other directions that should work, but they just don’t for whatever reason.” Despite this, he and Leclerc were able to find some common ground, with Hamilton admitting that he had to adapt his driving style to get closer to the car’s pace. However, the setup still wasn’t optimal, and he described the balance as “not a comfortable one.” This highlighted the need for significant changes to the car, and it is clear that Hamilton’s feedback is essential if Ferrari wants to break free from their current limitations.

The Influence of Loïc Serra

A key figure in Ferrari’s development process is Loïc Serra, who joined the team as the head of chassis development. Serra is seen as someone who truly believes in the value of Hamilton’s input, and it is likely that he will play a crucial role in ensuring that Hamilton’s feedback is not only heard but acted upon. The relationship between Serra and Hamilton is vital, as Serra’s technical expertise combined with Hamilton’s feedback could be the perfect formula for success.

Serra’s track record at Ferrari suggests that he is the kind of engineer who can bring the best out of a driver. However, the team’s reluctance to fully implement Hamilton’s suggestions, particularly regarding the car’s rear suspension in 2025, has been a point of contention. Despite these setbacks, Serra’s understanding of the technical side of the car could provide the perfect platform for a major turnaround in 2026, especially if the team is willing to listen to Hamilton’s experience and adapt the car accordingly.

A New Era for Ferrari: Incorporating Hamilton’s DNA

Hamilton’s involvement in the 2026 car’s development could have a profound effect on the team. As he described, the car will incorporate “some of my DNA,” a statement that underlines just how much influence he expects to have. Hamilton’s input is not just about driving style but also about ensuring that the car is balanced in a way that allows him to push it to its limits. His extensive experience with championship-winning teams gives him a unique perspective on what is necessary for a car to perform at its highest level.

It’s also worth noting that Ferrari’s development process, under the guidance of key engineers like Jock Clear, is likely to be heavily influenced by Hamilton’s feedback. Clear, who has worked with Hamilton both at Mercedes and Ferrari, is known to advocate for listening to Hamilton’s suggestions. Given that Hamilton’s feedback has been described as “second to none,” it’s clear that he holds significant sway within the team. With Clear’s support, it is highly likely that Ferrari will take Hamilton’s views seriously as they begin to lay the groundwork for their 2026 car.

The Experience Factor: Hamilton’s Edge Over Leclerc

One of the most significant advantages Hamilton brings to Ferrari is his experience. While Charles Leclerc has shown immense promise and speed, he has spent his entire F1 career at Ferrari, which limits his ability to compare the car’s performance against other teams. In contrast, Hamilton has driven for two championship-winning teams—Mercedes and McLaren—and has won seven World Championships. This breadth of experience makes Hamilton uniquely qualified to identify what is lacking in Ferrari’s current approach.

Damon Hill, the 1996 World Champion, also weighed in on the situation, stating that Hamilton’s experience would be crucial in helping Ferrari develop a car capable of competing with Mercedes and McLaren. Hill’s assertion is particularly important given that Ferrari’s focus will be on development over the next few years, and Hamilton’s input could make the difference between success and failure.

The Road Ahead: A Test of Ferrari’s Commitment to Change

As Ferrari moves forward with its 2026 car, the pressure is on the team to prove that they can build a car capable of challenging for championships once again. However, the road to success will not be easy. The team must ensure that they are not repeating the same mistakes of the past, particularly when it comes to developing a car that aligns with their drivers’ needs. Hamilton’s experience and feedback could be the missing piece that Ferrari has been searching for, but it will be up to the team to listen and adapt accordingly.

Ferrari is facing a critical juncture in its Formula 1 journey. If they fail to take Hamilton’s input seriously, they could risk entering another development cycle where their progress stalls. But if they embrace his experience and insights, the Scuderia could finally return to the front of the grid, with Hamilton playing a key role in bringing the team back to the top.

Conclusion

Ferrari’s decision to focus on 2026 and incorporate more of Hamilton’s feedback into their car development is a sign of change within the team. If they can successfully adapt the car to Hamilton’s driving style and make the necessary adjustments, the 2026 season could mark a new era for the iconic team. With Hamilton’s experience, coupled with the expertise of engineers like Loïc Serra and Jock Clear, Ferrari has the opportunity to turn their fortunes around and reassert themselves as serious contenders in Formula 1. For now, all eyes are on the Scuderia to see if they can rise to the challenge and, more importantly, listen to the advice of one of the sport’s greatest ever drivers.