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—because of Max Verstappen receiving a time penalty for colliding with George Russell—Hamilton was finally promoted from seventh to sixth, but it surely did little to elevate 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 completely in the direction of the upcoming 2026 regulation modifications, successfully calling on the staff to surrender on this season’s growth. In response to these near the state of affairs, Lewis Hamilton additionally feels more and more alienated inside 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 important 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 assessments, was applied to make sure uniform compliance throughout all ten groups. Hamilton, nevertheless, reportedly informed insiders that the rule change amounted to little greater than a “waste of cash,” arguing that it made no tangible distinction to automobile 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 bolster technical readability and enforcement. The FIA clarified that the modification was by no means designed to shake up the operating order however merely to make sure that no staff exploited extreme wing flex past the established threshold.
At current, the FIA has no additional plans to amend the versatile entrance wing guidelines through the the rest of the 2025 season. Nonetheless, 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 steady for now, groups shouldn’t assume the present requirements are ultimate.
Ferrari staff principal Fred Vasseur had reportedly hoped that the brand new flexi-wing guidelines would provide the Scuderia a aggressive enhance, particularly by doubtlessly compromising McLaren’s efficiency. Nonetheless, 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 greatest effort, which solely earned him fifth on the grid. Piastri additionally outpaced Charles Leclerc by 0.585 seconds, with the Monegasque driver finally 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 geared toward standardizing brake supplies—a transfer some believed would hinder McLaren’s efficiency. But the Woking-based staff continued to thrive, exhibiting minimal indicators of disruption from the brand new regulation.
With frustrations mounting on the Maranello and Lewis Hamilton overtly questioning each staff technique and regulatory selections, the strain surrounding the Scuderia’s 2025 System 1 marketing campaign reveals 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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