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Lewis Hamilton’s significant change in approach at Ferrari has been vindicated by his recent run of form.
Hamilton posted his best result as a Ferrari driver with P2 at the Canadian GP and repeated it in Monaco. He then went one better by taking his first victory for the Prancing Horse in Barcelona.
The 41-year-old has spoken extensively about trying to bring his own working methods to the team, who are famously resistant to change given their historical success.
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Lewis Hamilton’s simulator stance ‘raised eyebrows’ inside Ferrari
One of the most important changes Hamilton has made recently concerns the Ferrari simulator. He said after the Miami GP, where he finished an anonymous sixth in a damaged car, that he wasn’t going to use it for the foreseeable future.
The seven-time world champion suggested that the sim was taking him in the wrong setup direction for the start of a race weekend. He said he would still meet with his engineers at the factory, but avoid completing virtual laps, unlike teammate Charles Leclerc.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, ‘it’s no secret’ that these remarks ‘raised quite a few eyebrows internally’, but one can’t argue with the results. Hamilton immediately looked quick during FP1 in Canada and Monaco, though he needed more time to hit on the ideal balance in Barcelona after missing the first session.
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Looking back to last year, GdS also report that some Ferrari staff were ‘frowning’ over Hamilton publicly prioritising 2026. The superstar signing didn’t contribute to the team’s podium tally (Leclerc scored all seven) and his average finishing position was a disappointing seventh.
But with Hamilton leading Ferrari’s surge into title contention, playing the long game has clearly paid off.
F1’s most successful driver has taken a series of gambles since he joined Ferrari, but those who doubted him – both inside and outside the team – are starting to change their minds.
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