Ferrari is not designed to cater to a single driver - d'Ambrosio

Ferrari is not designed to cater to a single driver - d'Ambrosio

      Ferrari's 2026 vehicle will not be tailored specifically for Lewis Hamilton. This statement comes from deputy team principal Jerome d'Ambrosio, following comments from the seven-time world champion, who mentioned discussions with new Ferrari designer Loic Serra about incorporating Hamilton's "DNA" into the 2026 car.

      D'Ambrosio emphasized that designing a car based on a driver’s preferences is not straightforward. "You must be cautious when asserting that the car was created with a specific direction in mind," he stated as reported by Auto Motor und Sport. "The focus of development is primarily on achieving maximum performance. Loic and his team aim to create the fastest car possible, considering various objective parameters."

      This week, Hamilton and Charles Leclerc tested Serra’s newly designed rear suspension during a 'filming day' at Mugello, which is set to debut next weekend at Spa. D'Ambrosio described this as part of the "second phase" of car development. "It's only in the second phase that we take into account what drivers might require," the former Marussia driver explained. "There are numerous ways to ensure they have the necessary tools to tailor the car to their driving styles as effectively as possible."

      Hamilton, 40, has shown signs of being more satisfied with the 2025 car lately, but d'Ambrosio mentioned that he is aligning more closely with Leclerc's oversteer-focused setup. "As a team, it's crucial for us to meet with both drivers a few times each year," remarked the 39-year-old. "The conversation then shifts to what they both need and how we can translate that into performance. If you pay attention to both, you’ll notice their requests are quite similar."

      It's noteworthy that while Leclerc appears increasingly frustrated with the 2025 Ferrari, Hamilton frequently speaks about his collaboration with Serra to create a more suitable platform for the upcoming year. "Loic’s previous experience working with Lewis at Mercedes certainly enhances communication," d'Ambrosio noted. "However, Loic also maintains an excellent relationship with Charles."

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Ferrari is not designed to cater to a single driver - d'Ambrosio

Formula 1 | Ferrari's 2026 vehicle will not be designed exclusively for Lewis Hamilton. This is the assertion made by deputy team principal Jerome d'Ambrosio, following the (…)