By: If you sign a seven-time world champion, you have to listen to him. That is something of a mantra repeated in many of the main criticisms of the decisions made by the Maranello team over the past two years, but it is also a narrative with plenty of holes in it. While Lewis has an incredible wealth of experience — winning experience, not simply participation — Ferrari already had a driver highly capable of providing technical feedback, with the method and rigour learned from someone like Sebastian Vettel. And when two drivers’ feedback does not align, it becomes difficult to steer development.
In any case, Lewis Hamilton does not appear willing to confine himself to the role of a driver waiting for Ferrari to provide him with a winning car. The seven-time world champion wants to directly influence Maranello’s technical choices and, on the eve of the Mexican Grand Prix, made clear what his priorities are for 2027. Starting, quite simply, with a power unit capable of competing with those of Mercedes and Red Bull.
“I’m really focused on next year’s car. We need to identify the positives from this season, make sure we don’t lose them and improve the chassis further. In the meantime, I’m pushing as hard as I can to make sure we have a power unit capable of competing with Mercedes and Red Bull,” Hamilton said, making clear his desire to play an active role in steering the development of the next Ferrari.
It is not only about the engine. Hamilton explained that the final five races of the championship will also be used as opportunities for experimentation, to analyse the car’s behaviour and refine the team’s working processes. It is an approach that goes beyond the simple pursuit of an immediate result and confirms how firmly the Briton is already focused on the next project.
Asked about the aerodynamic updates introduced by Ferrari in Austin and the prospects for Mexico, Hamilton acknowledged the efforts of the technicians without getting carried away by optimism: “Every upgrade is positive and we are grateful for the work done at the factory. But Mercedes are still a rocket and Red Bull have been incredibly quick. I expect a very tight battle this weekend.”
Hamilton is identifying the areas that need attention, insisting on the need to preserve what works in the current project and openly putting pressure on power-unit development. His efforts to highlight his involvement in development will undoubtedly win plenty of approval, but also bring significant responsibility. If next year’s Ferrari is still struggling, some of the blame will certainly fall on him too.
Cover photo by Luca Martini / WHYOUT Images
