Lewis Hamilton has divulged he is “working hard behind the scenes” to guarantee Ferrari’s 2026 Formula 1 car comprises the “characteristics that I’m hoping to have”.
Ferrari’s competitive regression relative to the competition has culminated in Hamilton’s inaugural season in red being more complicated than both parties envisaged.
The Briton is still waiting to achieve his maiden Ferrari podium 12 races into this campaign, contributing to his longest drought without an appearance on the rostrum.
Hamilton’s results have taken an upturn in recent events, though, coinciding with his revelation that he has converged on team-mate Charles Leclerc’s set-up direction.
However, Hamilton has revealed that he is in consistent contact with Ferrari’s design department to ensure that the successor to the SF-25 is more suited to his liking.
“I’ve tried all the other directions that should work, but they just don’t for whatever reason,” Hamilton told media including Motorsport Week at Silverstone.
“I’ve slowly migrated to the place where Charles does run the car. Last week [in Austria] was the closest that I’ve been, and our pace was the closest it’s ever been.
“So it is still tough. It’s a tough balance to drive and it’s not a comfortable one. It’s not one that I want to have in future.
“So I’m working with Loic [Serra] and with all the guys at the factory to make sure that the next car will have naturally some of my DNA in it.
“And hopefully we’ll be able to get some of the characteristics that I’m hoping to have in it for next year.”
Hamilton more attentive to Ferrari’s 2025 prospects
With Ferrari’s title prospects all but over this season, Hamilton admitted his attention is on helping the team to enter the impending rule change with a better platform.
“I am more focused, I would say, on the changes behind the scenes, on building the things we need to implement so that we can experience a better 2026,” he added.
“Behind the scenes, I’m working hard with Fred [Vasseur] and the team to try to implement changes and improvements so that we can be successful in the long run.
“I’m working with the whole team on next year’s front and rear suspension and fixing the steering problems, making sure we continue to learn from previous years and also what we’re learning this year so that next year will be the best ever. That is my main goal.”
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