Hamilton delivers massive fix-it list to Ferrari, but will they act?

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As Ferrari’s bruising 2025 campaign reaches its epilogue this weekend in Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he has bombarded the Scuderia with “so many notes” on how to improve its fortunes, but admits that only time will tell if the Italian outfit “acts on those”.

The seven-time World Champion, who arrived at Maranello with dreams of a title push, now faces the reality of a winless season and a car that has fallen well behind its rivals in the crucial in-season development race.

With just one round left, Ferrari’s recent form – only 20 points from the last three events – has reflected a team running out of answers.

After qualifying dead last in Las Vegas and bombing out in Q1 for both the Qatar Sprint and Grand Prix, the Briton limped to 12th in the main race – trailing even midfield rivals. Starting from the pit lane in the Sprint, he could only manage 17th, leading a ragtag group experimenting with setups.

“It definitely has been the most challenging year both in and out of the car,” Hamilton told Sky F1, his voice laced with raw honesty.

“I think it really highlighted just how developed everybody else is and how undeveloped we are at this point of the year.

“I was nearly getting overtaken by the Stake car and I couldn’t keep up with the Williams. And the Williams came third. So, I mean, they’ve done a great job.”

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Hamilton’s comments comes amid revelations from team principal Fred Vasseur that Ferrari shifted gears to F1’s 2026 regulations back in April, a move rooted in the team’s early doubts about catching the likes of McLaren.

Vasseur defended the call but conceded that he perhaps underestimated the hit to team morale.

Hamilton's Blueprint for Revival

Not one to sit idle, Hamilton has been compiling all year a detailed dossier of fixes for Ferrari's woes, an initiative he touched upon last summer already.

“I’ve got so many notes in terms of things we need to improve on,” he confessed.

These insights cover everything from ditching weaknesses to amplifying strengths, with Hamilton optimistic about a turnaround.

“Time will tell whether or not we act on those things and we keep hold of the things that are good and change the things that are not – and there’s plenty of those,” he explained.

“There’s literally no reason why we couldn’t fix those if we just put those into action. I’m hopeful for us making progress.”

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For Ferrari, the final round offers no rescue for the 2025 campaign – but Hamilton’s dossier of fixes now looms large over the winter.

The question isn’t whether Ferrari knows what’s wrong. It’s whether the Scuderia will act on every one of those “notes” quickly enough to ensure 2026 doesn’t repeat 2025’s hard lessons.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.