Lewis Hamilton Pissed off with Ferrari and FIA After Disappointing Spanish Grand Prix Efficiency
Seven-time Method 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 end result—because of Max Verstappen receiving a time penalty for colliding with George Russell—Hamilton was in the end promoted from seventh to sixth, but it surely did little to carry 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 issues over Ferrari’s 2025 Method 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 adjustments, successfully calling on the crew to surrender on this season’s growth. In response to these near the scenario, Lewis Hamilton additionally feels more and more alienated inside the Maranello-based outfit, with the veteran suspecting that not everybody inside Ferrari stays totally supportive of him as a long-term asset.
Along with his efficiency woes, the Briton additionally voiced dissatisfaction with latest regulatory choices made by the FIA. Particularly, he was crucial of the governing physique’s newest clampdown on versatile entrance wings, which was launched forward of the Spanish GP. The regulation, which decreased the permitted flex from 15mm to 10mm throughout static load exams, 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 automotive efficiency or aggressive steadiness.
Regardless of Lewis Hamilton’s skepticism, the FIA stays glad with how the brand new flexi-wing regulation was utilized. The game’s governing physique believes the replace served its meant goal—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 crew exploited extreme wing flex past the established threshold.
At current, the FIA has no additional plans to amend the versatile entrance wing guidelines in the course of the the rest of the 2025 season. Nevertheless, 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 principles are secure for now, groups shouldn’t assume the present requirements are last.
Ferrari crew principal Fred Vasseur had reportedly hoped that the brand new flexi-wing guidelines would provide the Scuderia a aggressive increase, particularly by doubtlessly compromising McLaren’s efficiency. Nevertheless, 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 in the end recovering to complete third within the race.
This was not the primary time Ferrari misjudged the influence of a regulatory replace on McLaren. Earlier within the season at Imola, the FIA launched a technical directive aimed toward standardizing brake supplies—a transfer some believed would hinder McLaren’s efficiency. But the Woking-based crew continued to thrive, exhibiting minimal indicators of disruption from the brand new regulation.
With frustrations mounting on the Maranello and Lewis Hamilton brazenly questioning each crew technique and regulatory choices, the strain surrounding the Scuderia’s 2025 Method 1 marketing campaign exhibits 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.