Ferrari have confirmed that Lewis Hamilton will continue to align his car setup with teammate Charles Leclerc’s approach at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix.
This strategic shift follows a challenging first half of the 2025 Formula 1 season for the seven-time world champion, who has yet to secure a podium finish.
Since the Japanese Grand Prix, Leclerc has fine-tuned his SF-25 to favor a more oversteer-heavy setup, a move that paid dividends with four podiums in the eight races following Suzuka. This adjustment has helped Leclerc extract more pace from the car, culminating in a strong third-place finish at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, Hamilton has struggled to adapt to Ferrari’s machinery, enduring a career-long 14-race podium drought, with his best result being a fourth-place finish at Silverstone.
At the Austrian Grand Prix, Hamilton began adopting Leclerc’s oversteer-oriented setup, despite it leading to increased tire wear. Ferrari’s deputy team principal, Jerome D’Ambrosio, has confirmed that Hamilton will stick with this direction moving forward.
“At the moment, definitely,” D’Ambrosio told media, when asked about Hamilton’s setup plans. “To get the most out of the car, there’s a need for a specific balance. Charles has run a slightly more oversteery car for a few races, and it’s worked well for him. Lewis has moved in that direction recently and is making it work.”
D’Ambrosio highlighted the challenges posed by the current Formula 1 regulations, noting, “We see a lot of nervousness on corner entry, and the drivers need to manage that. It’s part of the game with these cars.”
Ferrari’s decision to align their drivers’ setups reflects their focus on maximizing performance, especially as they prepare to introduce a significant rear suspension upgrade at the Belgian Grand Prix to improve handling and close the gap to rivals like McLaren.
The Belgian Grand Prix, set for July 27, at the iconic 7.004-kilometer Spa-Francorchamps circuit, offers Ferrari a chance to capitalize on their recent progress.
With Hamilton and Leclerc increasingly coordinated in their approach, Ferrari aim to challenge for podiums and strengthen their second-place standing in the Constructors’ Championship.
