Lewis Hamilton's Former Mercedes Teammate Offers Crucial Advice to Ferrari

Newsweek

a day ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
The Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team has been enduring a challenging 2025 season thus far, and Lewis Hamilton's former Mercedes teammate, Nico Rosberg, has asked the team to listen to the seven-time world champion. This comes after Hamilton sent documents to Ferrari to elevate the team's competitiveness at all levels.
Hamilton's debut season with the Maranello-based team has been a bumpy ride thus far, with most challenges surrounding the SF-25 F1 car. To enhance the car's performance and ensure no elements are carried forward to the 2026 car, the Briton has sent several documents detailing his feedback and suggestions.
Hamilton revealed ahead of the race at Spa-Francorchamps that he also held meetings with the top-level management and engineers to ensure the entire team remains on the same page. Beyond just the car, he also advised Ferrari on making "structural" adjustments to the team.
The 40-year-old driver arrived at Ferrari with the most impressive driver resume a team could have asked for, and his knowledge about what goes into becoming a championship-winning team could be extremely crucial for Ferrari. Here's what Hamilton said about the changes:
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari prepares to drive in the garage prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 14, 2025...
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari prepares to drive in the garage prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 14, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. More"Yeah, I was at the factory for two weeks, a couple of days each week. We did preparation — naturally, going over where we were in the previous race, things that we need to change. I held a lot of meetings, so I've called on lots of meetings with the heads of the team.
"I've sat with John [Elkann], Benedetto [Vigna], and Fred [Vasseur] in several meetings. I've sat with the head of car development, with Loic [Serra] and also the heads of different departments — talking about the engine for next year, front suspension for next year, rear suspension for next year, things that you want, issues that I have with this car.
"I've sent documents, as I've done throughout the year. After the first few races, I did a full document for the team. Then, during this break, I had another two documents that I sent in. So, then I come in and want to address those.
"Some of it's structural adjustments that we need to make as a team in order to get better in all the areas we want to improve. And the other one was really about the car — the current issues that I have with this car. Some things you do want to take on to next year's car, and some that you need to work on changing for next year.
"We did development for — tried the 2026 car for the first time and started work on that. Thirty engineers come into the room, and you sit and debrief with every single one of them. So, big, big push. And otherwise just training — maybe a little bit too hard, a bit heavy this weekend."
Given Hamilton's knowledge and premier class racing experience, former F1 champion Rosberg has asked Ferrari to take Hamilton's input seriously. He said:
"He's a seven-time World Champion, so you definitely have to listen to what a seven-time World Champion is telling you. But it also takes time. Many of the things they cannot just change overnight. If the brakes are an issue, it's a long lead time to develop the new brake system. Or if he's not happy with the balance, it's a really long process.
"So in many senses, he will be even thinking about next year already now as well, with some of the things that he's talking about. I think it's a good sign, though, that we're hearing that Lewis is pushing, you know. He's not like resign, giving up, but he's really pushing hard, the team, the owners, the team boss. That's a great sign."