Mika Hakkinen tells Lewis Hamilton the one thing he needs above all to make Ferrari move a success

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Lewis Hamilton has once again taken to demanding changes at Ferrari, as the Briton bids to turn his disappointing first season racing in red this year into a success story.

The 40-year-old moved to Maranello before the 2025 F1 season, and he even soon declared that Ferrari have “every ingredient” to win a title. Yet Charles Leclerc is only fifth in the 2025 F1 drivers’ championship on 173 points, and Hamilton is sixth on 125 points so far this term.

McLaren have also already won the 2025 constructors’ championship, with the papaya crew boasting 650 points ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin this weekend. Ferrari sit third in the teams’ standings on only 298 points through the first 18 rounds of this year’s 22.

So, Hamilton has told Ferrari to make better use of their drivers’ feedback, as he now thinks the Scuderia rely too much on data instead of what he and Leclerc feel in the SF-25. He also laid out further changes he wants to see Ferrari make prior to the United States GP at COTA.

Mika Hakkinen thinks Lewis Hamilton ‘has to have patience’ that Ferrari will come good

Hamilton has given Ferrari documents citing the changes he wants to see the Scuderia make throughout his first year in Maranello, having endured what is set to be the worst year of his career. The Briton is yet to stand on a Grand Prix podium beyond round 10 for the first time.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

But Mika Hakkinen believes the main thing Hamilton needs at Ferrari above all is “patience”, as it could take the seven-time champion years to have everything he wants in place to taste success with the pride of Italy. The Finn also suggests Hamilton may face a five-year project.

Hakkinen told the Hindustan Times: “First of all, Lewis is just an incredible racing driver. He has succeeded in his career over the years, taking all the pressure that he’s been experiencing. It’s just unbelievable.

“When you come to a new team, normally it can take four to five years until you can make the car to fit your driving style.

“Thus, Lewis has to have the patience to wait for such a long time. You normally don’t jump in the team and the car and say, ‘Oh, this car is fantastic. I’m going to win races.’ It requires a lot of work and a long time.”

Lewis Hamilton will consider his future with Ferrari in the first half of the 2026 F1 season

Hamilton may not have the time to wait four or five years for Ferrari to put together all that he needs to achieve success again. The record 105-time Grand Prix winner is already said to be considering his future on the grid beyond the end of his first contract as a Ferrari driver.

Reports now suggest that Hamilton will decide his future with Ferrari by June 2026, with the Monaco Grand Prix seen as a potential deadline for the 104-time polesitter. Hamilton has an option to extend his Ferrari contract through 2027, with his deal otherwise expiring in 2026.

If Ferrari cannot take on board the feedback that Hamilton has provided since he joined from Mercedes in January, then it may push him closer to reconsidering his future in red. Ferrari’s car for the 2026 F1 regulations must also show Hamilton that they are on an improved path.