Ferrari source reveals where Lewis Hamilton is lacking behind the scenes before Imola weekend

Lewis Hamilton will be dreaming of a first Ferrari podium as he races in Italy for the first time since joining the Scuderia. But there are few concrete reasons for optimism.

Hamilton finished third in the Miami Sprint last time out, his second podium in as many Saturday races this year. But his eighth-place finish in the race means he still hasn’t cracked the top four in a Grand Prix.

What’s more, Hamilton clashed with his Ferrari team during the race as he urged them to swap the cars. In one particularly damning soundbite, he told them to ‘take a tea break’ while they deliberated.

Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and team principal Fred Vasseur all downplayed the issue afterwards. It was, in truth, a distraction from another poor performance.

Ferrari finished behind the Williams of Alex Albon and came under pressure from their former driver Carlos Sainz. The SF-25 was closer to a midfield car than a frontrunner.

All of this ramps up the pressure on the team, currently fourth in the constructors’ championship, as they face the Tifosi. The track, named after founder Enzo and his son, is located less than 100km from their HQ in Maranello.

‘Morale is low’ at Ferrari as Lewis Hamilton insists he’s optimistic

Speaking in the media pen at Imola (via Sky Sports), Hamilton said he was ‘really hopeful’ despite the team’s rather bleak form. They are more than 150 points off McLaren, with their superstar signing only seventh in the drivers’.

Ferrari have brought upgrades to the Emilia Romagna GP, but they aren’t alone. The start of the European season typically sees the development race accelerate.

“I was at the factory on Tuesday and Wednesday, seeing the team here, I think everyone’s taking accountability for where we are, and we’re trying to action changes moving forwards,” Hamilton said.

“We’ve got some bits here this weekend that hopefully can improve the car. I’m really hopeful.”

However, The Daily Mail report that Ferrari staff aren’t so optimistic. A ‘source in Italy’ who has ‘an ear to the wall’ at Maranello says that ‘morale is low’.

Hamilton has been a ‘marvel’ during his career when it comes to ‘raising the spirits of a team’. But it appears he hasn’t yet been able to do that this year.

Lewis Hamilton has received some good news from Ferrari before Imola

Vasseur says it’s ‘even more difficult’ for Hamilton to adapt because Ferrari’s car is underperforming. Both parties knew there would be an acclimatisation process, but its scale has caught them by surprise.

Even Leclerc, who has raced for the team since 2019, has talked openly about changing his driving style to adapt to the car’s unique demands.

Hamilton isn’t overly concerned about beating Leclerc right now, according to a report this week. The spoils on offer would be a P5 or a P6, and he wants to win.

The good news for Hamilton is that Ferrari will wait until the Belgian GP – the penultimate race before the summer break – before deciding whether to abandon 2025 car development. That gives them time to turn the season around.