2025 Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team

[rifrafs2kees]

I'm shocked this needs explaining on such a site. The ICE is still the lone the energy source for this upcoming formula; any power advantage means surplus energy to charge the battery.

[ScuderiaLeo]

With Vanja no longer active on here sadly, someone else may need to make the 2026 Ferrari thread. I see other teams are already created.

No reputable news out of Maranello this winter, at least so far. Be wary of clickbait

[Seanspeed]

The team has no one to blame but themselves, they haven't won a championship since 2007.

Verstappen could have won the title in the 2018 Ferrari.

Ironically Id say Hamilton in the Ferrari would have won it in 2018 vs Vettel in the merc as well

Yea I agree with that as well for the most part. Lewis was still at peak performance at the time and had a great year. I do think the Ferrari wouldn't have been quite as easy to drive overall, but he was consistent and talented enough to overcome downsides better than Vettel was able to.

Main point is just that Ferrari have not been as bad as how many people talk about them.

[MTL79]

With Vanja no longer active on here sadly, someone else may need to make the 2026 Ferrari thread. I see other teams are already created.

No reputable news out of Maranello this winter, at least so far. Be wary of clickbait

What happened to him? Is he ok?

[brakeboosted]

With Vanja no longer active on here sadly, someone else may need to make the 2026 Ferrari thread. I see other teams are already created.

No reputable news out of Maranello this winter, at least so far. Be wary of clickbait

What happened to him? Is he ok?

The last time we spoke he said just busy with life and work. He still interacts with some of my recent posts on twitter so I presume he is alright. Last time I spoke to him was in October.

[MTL79]

With Vanja no longer active on here sadly, someone else may need to make the 2026 Ferrari thread. I see other teams are already created.

No reputable news out of Maranello this winter, at least so far. Be wary of clickbait

What happened to him? Is he ok?

The last time we spoke he said just busy with life and work. He still interacts with some of my recent posts on twitter so I presume he is alright. Last time I spoke to him was in October.

Thanks for the update, it's a shame he's not posting any longer, he was very knowledgeable.

[Andi76]

I don't think broken records hurt anyone. It's the natural order of things that records are broken. And what's much more important is how and under what circumstances they are achieved anyway.

Incidentally, I just did a Google search—even with Chat GPT—and couldn't find a single source that actually names Hamilton as a strong development driver. Not from one Single engineer or driver who worked with him. So sorry... the reality is obviously not what you would like it to be and say. Especially since, as has been said many times, the McLaren era, the Mercedes era after they could no longer capitalize on their dominance and carry on a lead acquired without Hamilton, and Ferrari 2025 are facts that speak for themselves. Good development drivers don't even move the car forward, and never again before or after. The Definition of a strong development driver is definetely something else.

What did you ask Chat GP?, cause when i ask a basic question like, "was hamilton a good development driver ", ChatGPT's response was good that LH was big reason Mercedes was so dominate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Funny RIGHT??? LOL.

Let me guess, you know more than chat GPT now? or is Chat GPT now wrong? or cant be used?

" Yes, Lewis Hamilton is widely regarded as an excellent development driver, and his contributions to the development of Formula 1 cars, particularly at Mercedes, are often highlighted as one of his key strengths.

Here are a few reasons why Hamilton has been such a valuable development driver:

1. Exceptional Feedback and Communication

Hamilton has a unique ability to provide precise and clear feedback to his engineers. This allows the team to make adjustments to the car based on his input, whether it's related to balance, handling, tire wear, or other aspects of performance. His technical understanding of the car and how it reacts under different conditions has been crucial for Mercedes.

2. Adapting to New Regulations and Car Changes

Over the course of his career, Hamilton has adapted to multiple changes in car regulations and technological shifts. From the shift to hybrid engines in 2014 to changes in aerodynamics, Hamilton has been instrumental in helping his team understand how to optimize the car within the constraints of new rules.

3. Consistency and Performance

Hamilton’s consistency in terms of performance gives engineers valuable data to refine and develop the car. When the car isn’t performing well, his ability to push its limits while staying within the car's limits makes it easier for the team to identify areas needing improvement.

4. Success Across Different Cars

Even when Mercedes was not the dominant force in Formula 1 (such as in his earlier years with the team), Hamilton still managed to extract the maximum from cars that weren't always the best on the grid. His success in 2008 with McLaren and later with Mercedes in 2014 and beyond proves his adaptability and understanding of car development.

5. Collaboration with Engineers

In addition to his driving talent, Hamilton has always been a team player when it comes to car development. His collaboration with Mercedes’ engineers, including key figures like James Allison and Toto Wolff, has helped the team build cars that are consistently fast, reliable, and competitive.

6. Bringing Out the Best in the Car

Hamilton’s ability to get the best performance out of the car in difficult conditions—such as wet weather, tire management, or under pressure in races—has been a key factor in developing the car’s strengths. His ability to test and refine setups has contributed to making the car more versatile and adaptable.

Conclusion:

Hamilton's work as a development driver is a big reason why Mercedes has been so dominant in the turbo-hybrid era. While the team had the resources and technical leadership to design competitive cars, Hamilton’s feedback, work ethic, and ability to adapt to evolving technology and rules were all critical in making the Mercedes F1 car so successful. His role went beyond just being a driver to becoming a vital part of the development process."



LOL..

ChatGPT gives this answer for pretty much every driver, because it's a standard response from many engineers and team bosses when asked how important their drivers are/were for development. I, on the other hand, know first-hand that F1 is all about one thing—money. And that brings us to marketing and the drivers and statements like this. The fact is that Toto Wolff said it himself – the job of Mercedes drivers is to drive, the engineers do the set-up and development. So if you or ChatGPT know more than the people who are actually on site and involved in this, that's cool. Then we're heading for a great future where everyone believes whatever anyone says... but actually, we've been at that point for a long time, but that's not the issue here. The fact is that Wolff himself said that their drivers drive (and this was at a time when Hamilton was at Mercedes) and the engineers take care of the setup and development. Hamilton's problems at Ferrari confirm this, because things are different there, at least as far as the setup on the weekend is concerned. And as we know and have seen, he has problems getting a decent setup and keeps getting carried away. This has been known since his F3 days. So you're welcome to continue believing artificial intelligence that doesn't distinguish whether a statement is more about marketing or image-building, or whether it's really meant that way and based on facts. Personally, I prefer to stick to people who were/are there and to real statements on topics. And those are clear—maybe you could make a more precise ChatGPT query here that goes into more detail. Then Chat GPT will surely find the right statements. Besides, it's not really anything that isn't already known. Pretty much everyone in formula racing knows about Hamilton's problems with setups in Formula 3, just as everyone knows that at Mercedes, the drivers have been doing nothing but driving for a long time. The setup and development work is done 100% by the engineers. That's an open secret.

[Mosin123]

What did you ask Chat GP?, cause when i ask a basic question like, "was hamilton a good development driver ", ChatGPT's response was good that LH was big reason Mercedes was so dominate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Funny RIGHT??? LOL.

Let me guess, you know more than chat GPT now? or is Chat GPT now wrong? or cant be used?

" Yes, Lewis Hamilton is widely regarded as an excellent development driver, and his contributions to the development of Formula 1 cars, particularly at Mercedes, are often highlighted as one of his key strengths.

Here are a few reasons why Hamilton has been such a valuable development driver:

1. Exceptional Feedback and Communication

Hamilton has a unique ability to provide precise and clear feedback to his engineers. This allows the team to make adjustments to the car based on his input, whether it's related to balance, handling, tire wear, or other aspects of performance. His technical understanding of the car and how it reacts under different conditions has been crucial for Mercedes.

2. Adapting to New Regulations and Car Changes

Over the course of his career, Hamilton has adapted to multiple changes in car regulations and technological shifts. From the shift to hybrid engines in 2014 to changes in aerodynamics, Hamilton has been instrumental in helping his team understand how to optimize the car within the constraints of new rules.

3. Consistency and Performance

Hamilton’s consistency in terms of performance gives engineers valuable data to refine and develop the car. When the car isn’t performing well, his ability to push its limits while staying within the car's limits makes it easier for the team to identify areas needing improvement.

4. Success Across Different Cars

Even when Mercedes was not the dominant force in Formula 1 (such as in his earlier years with the team), Hamilton still managed to extract the maximum from cars that weren't always the best on the grid. His success in 2008 with McLaren and later with Mercedes in 2014 and beyond proves his adaptability and understanding of car development.

5. Collaboration with Engineers

In addition to his driving talent, Hamilton has always been a team player when it comes to car development. His collaboration with Mercedes’ engineers, including key figures like James Allison and Toto Wolff, has helped the team build cars that are consistently fast, reliable, and competitive.

6. Bringing Out the Best in the Car

Hamilton’s ability to get the best performance out of the car in difficult conditions—such as wet weather, tire management, or under pressure in races—has been a key factor in developing the car’s strengths. His ability to test and refine setups has contributed to making the car more versatile and adaptable.

Conclusion:

Hamilton's work as a development driver is a big reason why Mercedes has been so dominant in the turbo-hybrid era. While the team had the resources and technical leadership to design competitive cars, Hamilton’s feedback, work ethic, and ability to adapt to evolving technology and rules were all critical in making the Mercedes F1 car so successful. His role went beyond just being a driver to becoming a vital part of the development process."



LOL..

ChatGPT gives this answer for pretty much every driver, because it's a standard response from many engineers and team bosses when asked how important their drivers are/were for development. I, on the other hand, know first-hand that F1 is all about one thing—money. And that brings us to marketing and the drivers and statements like this. The fact is that Toto Wolff said it himself – the job of Mercedes drivers is to drive, the engineers do the set-up and development. So if you or ChatGPT know more than the people who are actually on site and involved in this, that's cool. Then we're heading for a great future where everyone believes whatever anyone says... but actually, we've been at that point for a long time, but that's not the issue here. The fact is that Wolff himself said that their drivers drive (and this was at a time when Hamilton was at Mercedes) and the engineers take care of the setup and development. Hamilton's problems at Ferrari confirm this, because things are different there, at least as far as the setup on the weekend is concerned. And as we know and have seen, he has problems getting a decent setup and keeps getting carried away. This has been known since his F3 days. So you're welcome to continue believing artificial intelligence that doesn't distinguish whether a statement is more about marketing or image-building, or whether it's really meant that way and based on facts. Personally, I prefer to stick to people who were/are there and to real statements on topics. And those are clear—maybe you could make a more precise ChatGPT query here that goes into more detail. Then Chat GPT will surely find the right statements. Besides, it's not really anything that isn't already known. Pretty much everyone in formula racing knows about Hamilton's problems with setups in Formula 3, just as everyone knows that at Mercedes, the drivers have been doing nothing but driving for a long time. The setup and development work is done 100% by the engineers. That's an open secret.

This is old, but ill reply, So the drivers go out in practice / do sim work ( with the sim drivers ) after practice for qauly and the race because Toto and his team of engineers already knows whats best, the perfect set up for each driver with out even asking them. That is pretty good, might as well do away with the sim and practise sessions, the engineers do every thing any way, this moaning we all hear from ( ALL ) the drivers about struggling to find the set up, and not feeling at 1 with the car, and not finding the correct balance, and every thing else, is just a load of old baloney right?

Critical thinking, Car comes out in p1, does a lap or 2, goes in, the mechanics look busy, look like they are changing things, and ( Name driver here ) asks for such and such changes, But they dont actually change any thing, they just pretend, because well the engineers already did it right? What would the person actually driving it know right... I get ya.... brilliant.