Lewis Hamilton has expressed confidence in his Ferrari engineering team as he enters his second campaign with the Italian constructor, following a difficult debut season that failed to meet expectations. The seven-time world champion endured a challenging first year at Maranello, managing zero podium finishes across 24 grand prix weekends in what many considered a disappointing campaign for both driver and team.
The British driver’s relationship with former race engineer Riccardo Adami appeared troubled throughout the season, with Adami subsequently reassigned to a different role during the winter break. However, Hamilton appears significantly more comfortable with his current setup after securing a second-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, marking a notable improvement in both performance and team dynamics.
Speaking after qualifying for Sunday’s race, Hamilton emphasized his satisfaction with the current engineering structure around him. “Honestly, for me, my engineering team is now just where I need it and we’ve finally got the car this weekend in a place where I really feel like myself, and I really hope that continues,” the 44-numbered driver explained. “I don’t need to change up my team, we just need to keep on working and do what works for me.”
When asked by Sky Sports’ Rachel Brookes about Ferrari’s championship potential, Hamilton remained optimistic despite acknowledging the team’s power deficit. “Yes, absolutely. I mean, the guys at the factory have done an amazing job with the car, and we still have improvements to make, but the car is fantastic,” he stated. The veteran driver noted that Ferrari’s main challenge lies in overcoming their straight-line speed disadvantage against competitors like Mercedes, while praising the engine’s reliability despite the power shortfall.
Hamilton has also adjusted his preparation methods for his second Ferrari season, notably avoiding simulator work ahead of recent races and indicating he plans to maintain this approach moving forward. The strategic shift appears to be paying dividends as he seeks to maximize the SF-24’s potential in corners while Ferrari continues development efforts to close the performance gap to their rivals throughout the remainder of the campaign.