F1 news: Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari frustration deepens as internal tensions rise
Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has quickly turned into a test of patience and leadership rather than a pursuit of glory.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo examines rising internal tensions, inconsistent performances, and Hamilton’s push for change at Maranello.
A rough start to life in red
Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari has been far from the dream partnership many fans envisioned.
After leaving Mercedes in search of a record-breaking eighth world title, the seven-time world champion has found himself battling inconsistency, internal politics, and a car that has yet to deliver on its promise.
Ferrari remain winless after 18 rounds, a disappointing outcome for a team that narrowly missed out on the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren last year.
Hamilton’s push for change
According to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, Hamilton has sent a series of detailed reports to Ferrari’s senior management throughout the season, most recently submitting another document calling for structural and procedural changes.
These documents reportedly outline his proposed improvements in areas such as car development, communication between departments, and race weekend execution.
Hamilton’s persistence highlights his growing frustration with what he perceives as stagnation within the team.
Sources suggest he expected to have a stronger influence on key decisions but has instead encountered resistance and political barriers within Ferrari’s ranks.
The situation has drawn comparisons to Sebastian Vettel’s time with the team between 2015 and 2020, when the German also struggled to make lasting changes.
Concerns over team operations
The Italian report also points to internal scrutiny around Matteo Togninalli, Ferrari’s head of track engineering.
His position has reportedly come under pressure due to inconsistent performance, strained relationships, and a lack of progress in car development.
Following the double disqualification in China earlier this season, Ferrari adopted a more cautious technical approach, which some insiders believe has hindered the team’s competitiveness.
Hamilton’s feedback has not been limited to management and strategy. He has also voiced concerns about on-track operations, such as qualifying procedures.
At the Singapore Grand Prix, he criticised the team’s decision to queue in the pit lane during qualifying, which led to a significant loss of tyre temperature and compromised both his and Charles Leclerc’s flying laps.
“We’re losing so much temperature, maybe five or six degrees,” Hamilton said.
“It’s really hard to gain that back in the outlap without using the tyre too much. I think the guys on pole went out quicker, with less waiting. That’s an area we can improve on, for sure.”
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Fighting the culture of complacency
Hamilton’s determination to overhaul Ferrari’s structure comes from his belief that the team has all the ingredients for success but lacks efficiency in execution.
Speaking earlier this year at Spa, he explained that he refuses to follow in the footsteps of Vettel and Fernando Alonso, both of whom failed to capture a championship with Ferrari despite their immense talent.
“I see huge potential in this team. The passion is unmatched, but not all of the moving parts are firing the way they should,” Hamilton said.
“It’s my job to challenge every area and everyone in the team, especially those making the big decisions. Ferrari has had amazing drivers for the last 20 years, but they didn’t win a title. I refuse for that to be the case with me.”
Hamilton added that he is drawing on his experience with other top teams to inspire progress. He emphasised the need to build strong internal relationships, push boundaries, and energise the workforce.
“They’ve been responsive,” he said. “We’ve improved in so many areas, but there’s still a lot of work to do. I’m here to win, and I don’t have as much time as some of the younger drivers. It’s crunch time.”
A growing sense of urgency
Despite his efforts, Hamilton remains without a podium in Ferrari colours and sits sixth in the drivers’ championship, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc by 48 points.
The lack of results has reportedly heightened tension behind the scenes and added pressure to deliver before the season’s end.
At 40, Hamilton is racing against time to make his Ferrari chapter a success. His commitment to reshaping the team from within shows his refusal to settle for mediocrity, but it also underlines the magnitude of the challenge he faces.
With internal politics, technical struggles, and rising frustration surrounding performance, the task of reviving Ferrari’s glory has proven far more complex than expected.
Whether Hamilton’s persistence will finally spark the change he seeks remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: he is determined not to let his Ferrari journey end like those of the champions who came before him.
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