Ferrari may not have enough money available to address Lewis Hamilton’s biggest problem in 2025

Ferrari will introduce some minor upgrades for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend. They will hope it delivers better results than their first package.

At the Bahrain GP last month, Ferrari debuted a revised floor. Leclerc and Hamilton showed strong race pace to finish P4 and P5 respectively, the team’s most lucrative Sunday of the year.

While the Monegasque subsequently picked up a podium in Saudi Arabia, Ferrari haven’t been able to build any momentum. Hamilton suffered a first Q2 exit of the season in Miami, and the Scuderia struggled to shake an impressive Williams during the race.

Fred Vasseur could come under pressure if Ferrari don’t improve. This was supposed to be the year that the team ended their title drought (which stretches back to the late 2000s), powered by a superstar signing.

Instead, Ferrari are facing calls to abandon 2025 and prioritise the upcoming regulation changes instead. Teams like Williams have already suspended short-term development in the hope of a head start.

Fred Vasseur cost cap decision has limited Ferrari’s 2025 development budget

Motorsport Italy report that Ferrari are planning ‘some aerodynamic adjustments’ at Imola. More significant updates will follow in the coming weeks.

This includes a brand-new front wing, set to arrive at the Spanish GP at the end of the month. It will be compliant with the FIA’s revised static load tests, designed to crack down on flexibility.

The ‘most anticipated change’ is a rear suspension rework, one that will allow the team to reduce their ride height and potentially generate downforce. Ferrari had to raise their car after Hamilton’s disqualification for excessive skid block wear in China.

• READ MORE: The five worst moments of Lewis Hamilton’s career in Formula 1

The report clarifies that Ferrari won’t be abandoning their pull-rod concept despite its disappointing results. This is due to the ‘spending limits’ they have imposed.

Vasseur has allocated the ‘bulk of the budget’ to 2026 and the rules revolution. That means funds for the SF-25 are ‘very limited’, which will hurt the team’s prospects of winning a race this year.

Why former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello feels sorry for Lewis Hamilton

While he no doubt bears some responsibility for his poor results – Leclerc has extracted more performance – Hamilton’s biggest problem right now is clearly Ferrari’s car.

When it comes alive, he shows glimpses of his best form, be it the China Sprint sessions or the middle stint in Bahrain. But he’s largely struggled to rise above its limitations.

That, of course, is understandable. Rubens Barrichello feels for Hamilton amid the intense external pressure. When he was racing alongside Michael Schumacher, that ‘pressure became support’ as they enjoyed a run of dominance.

While he’s looked dejected at times, Hamilton was ‘fiery’ after the race in Miami. Vasseur may prefer this version of his old colleague, even if it means hearing some hard truths.