Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur has addressed Lewis Hamilton’s recent request for a new upgrade, but has given a directive for Ferrari.
Following his sixth-place finish in the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton emphasized his need for new upgrades to the SF-25 after experiencing his worst result in Montreal, despite significant damage from colliding with a groundhog.
Ferrari’s most recent significant upgrade occurred at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April, and Vasseur has stated that new components will arrive prior to Hamilton’s home Grand Prix at Silverstone during the first weekend of July.
Nonetheless, he also informed Ferrari that it needs to improve its ability to extract performance from its current package.
Hamilton’s post-race comments in Montreal were filled with frustration as he struggled to find consistency and pace throughout the weekend. The collision with a groundhog during the race only compounded an already difficult outing for the seven-time world champion, who has yet to find his rhythm in the SF-25 this season. While the incident caused some visible damage to the car’s floor, Hamilton stressed that the performance issues were more deeply rooted in the overall competitiveness of the package rather than isolated events.
In response to Hamilton’s concerns, Fred Vasseur acknowledged the call for upgrades but maintained a broader perspective. Vasseur reiterated that while new components are indeed in the pipeline and scheduled for introduction at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the team must first ensure it is optimizing the existing package. His comments signal a dual approach: while Ferrari remains committed to car development, it is equally focused on operational improvements to extract every ounce of performance from the current specification.
Ferrari’s last substantial upgrade came during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where they introduced aerodynamic revisions aimed at improving straight-line speed and rear stability. Since then, development has slowed, partially due to the team’s focus on understanding the baseline behavior of the SF-25 across different track conditions. With other teams, particularly McLaren and Red Bull, continuing to introduce new parts, Ferrari has been under increasing pressure to respond with meaningful updates.
Vasseur emphasized that simply adding new components will not automatically translate into results unless the team can consistently set up the car to suit different circuits and maximize driver feedback. He pointed to the necessity of achieving better correlation between simulator work, wind tunnel data, and on-track performance—a critical aspect where Ferrari has struggled at times this season.
Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari at the start of the 2025 campaign, has had an up-and-down season so far. While he has shown flashes of speed and racecraft, consistency has eluded him, and the performance gap to frontrunners has often left him battling in the midfield. His performance in Canada, marred by the incident with the groundhog and overall car instability, marked a low point. It also reignited conversations around Ferrari’s pace of development and whether they can deliver a car that suits Hamilton’s driving style.
The Silverstone upgrade package is expected to be a key milestone in Ferrari’s season. Not only is it Hamilton’s home Grand Prix, but it also represents the halfway point of the championship—a time when teams typically evaluate whether to continue developing the current car or begin focusing on the next season. Ferrari is reportedly working on a series of aerodynamic tweaks, a lighter floor design, and rear suspension modifications intended to improve tire wear and traction—areas where the SF-25 has shown inconsistencies.
As the championship battle intensifies, Ferrari’s ability to react to driver feedback and implement effective upgrades will be crucial. Vasseur’s comments suggest that while Hamilton’s request is being taken seriously, the team is also looking inward to ensure it is doing everything possible with what it currently has. The challenge lies not only in development but also in execution, race strategy, and adapting to track-specific conditions.
With Silverstone fast approaching, expectations will be high. Both Ferrari and Hamilton will be looking to deliver a strong performance in front of the British fans, and all eyes will be on whether the new updates can provide the competitive edge they’ve been searching for since the start of the season.
