Lewis Hamilton Annoyed with Ferrari and FIA After Disappointing Spanish Grand Prix Efficiency
Seven-time System world champion Lewis Hamilton appeared visibly disheartened following the conclusion of the Spanish Grand Prix, because the Ferrari driver struggled to cover his disappointment after solely securing a sixth-place end on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Regardless of a slightly improved consequence—due to Max Verstappen receiving a time penalty for colliding with George Russell—Hamilton was in the end promoted from seventh to sixth, but it surely did little to raise his spirits. To compound issues, Nico Hülkenberg managed to overhaul him within the closing laps, crossing the end line 1.86 seconds forward after executing a profitable transfer on Lap 65 of 66.
Lewis Hamilton’s frustrations have now prolonged past the race itself and into broader considerations over Ferrari’s 2025 System 1 marketing campaign. The seven-time world champion is reportedly urging the Scuderia to shift their strategic focus solely in the direction of the upcoming 2026 regulation adjustments, successfully calling on the group to surrender on this season’s growth. Based on these near the scenario, Lewis Hamilton additionally feels more and more alienated throughout the Maranello-based outfit, with the veteran suspecting that not everybody inside Ferrari stays absolutely supportive of him as a long-term asset.
Along with his efficiency woes, the Briton additionally voiced dissatisfaction with current regulatory selections made by the FIA. Particularly, he was essential of the governing physique’s newest clampdown on versatile entrance wings, which was launched forward of the Spanish GP. The regulation, which diminished the permitted flex from 15mm to 10mm throughout static load checks, was carried out to make sure uniform compliance throughout all ten groups. Hamilton, nonetheless, reportedly advised insiders that the rule change amounted to little greater than a “waste of cash,” arguing that it made no tangible distinction to automotive efficiency or aggressive steadiness.
Regardless of Lewis Hamilton’s skepticism, the FIA stays happy with how the brand new flexi-wing regulation was utilized. The game’s governing physique believes the replace served its supposed function—to not disrupt the aggressive order, however to strengthen technical readability and enforcement. The FIA clarified that the modification was by no means designed to shake up the working order however merely to make sure that no group exploited extreme wing flex past the established threshold.
At current, the FIA has no additional plans to amend the versatile entrance wing guidelines throughout the the rest of the 2025 season. Nevertheless, the group has left the door open to potential refinements because it continues to observe compliance forward of the sweeping 2026 chassis regulation overhaul. This strategy means that whereas the foundations are secure for now, groups mustn’t assume the present requirements are remaining.
Ferrari group principal Fred Vasseur had reportedly hoped that the brand new flexi-wing guidelines would provide the Scuderia a aggressive increase, particularly by probably compromising McLaren’s efficiency. Nevertheless, these hopes weren’t realized in Barcelona. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claimed pole place with a commanding Q3 lap that was 0.499 seconds faster than Lewis Hamilton’s finest effort, which solely earned him fifth on the grid. Piastri additionally outpaced Charles Leclerc by 0.585 seconds, with the Monegasque driver in the end recovering to complete third within the race.
This was not the primary time Ferrari misjudged the impression of a regulatory replace on McLaren. Earlier within the season at Imola, the FIA launched a technical directive aimed toward standardizing brake supplies—a transfer some believed would hinder McLaren’s efficiency. But the Woking-based group continued to thrive, exhibiting minimal indicators of disruption from the brand new regulation.
With frustrations mounting on the Maranello and Lewis Hamilton brazenly questioning each group technique and regulatory selections, the stress surrounding the Scuderia’s 2025 System 1 marketing campaign exhibits no signal of easing. As McLaren pulls additional forward and the FIA holds agency on its regulatory stance, Hamilton and Ferrari face mounting strain to both adapt rapidly or shift their full consideration to the brand new period awaiting in 2026.
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