Lewis Hamilton has tempered expectations for Ferrari`s new floor upgrade, introduced this weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix, warning fans not to anticipate significant improvements.
Hamilton`s first season with Ferrari, following a major move from Mercedes, has been difficult. The seven-time world champion has yet to achieve a podium finish in his first 11 races wearing red.
While his teammate Charles Leclerc has reached the podium three times, it is clear that Ferrari`s car performance has not met pre-season forecasts. Many expected them to challenge defending constructors` champions McLaren more closely.
Ferrari has already brought several updates to try and resolve their issues, and the latest is an updated version of the car`s crucial floor.
Speaking about the new component, Hamilton stated, “The team has worked very hard to bring a new floor. We don`t know how big a step it is, so I`ll find out tomorrow.”
When later questioned whether his priority is improving the current SF-25 car or focusing on competing for championships under the new regulations next year, Hamilton replied, “I`m more focused on the background changes, the foundational work needed to be better prepared for 2026.”
He expressed his appreciation for any advancements, saying, “You always want upgrades, so I`m grateful for every little bit, whether it`s a small or big piece.” He reiterated his cautious outlook: “What I would say is, don`t expect much change. Hopefully, tomorrow we`ll find something we didn`t expect, but again, we genuinely don`t know, so we will see tomorrow. The most important thing is hopefully taking a step forward in the right direction, ensuring we are progressing.”
Hamilton Focuses on Positives Amidst Season Challenges and Movie Release
Although Hamilton acknowledges that his initial season with Ferrari has been more demanding than he foresaw, the 40-year-old driver mentioned he is concentrating on the positive aspects of his current situation and life.
Having served as a producer on *F1 The Movie*, he shared his delight at the favorable reception of the Hollywood film about the sport, starring Brad Pitt, which was released globally earlier this week.
Hamilton commented on the team dynamic and the season`s challenges: “In terms of the environment around me, working with this team – would we prefer to be winning races right away? I`m sure everyone in the garage wishes that, but I`m thankful for this process we`re going through. We are doing a lot of building, making many necessary changes to move towards positive outcomes.”
He added, “Then there`s the movie, many great partners, so there are so many positives. When you are surrounded by a mixture of those things, it`s easy to look at the negatives all the time, especially when that`s what most people tend to focus on. But I`m trying to focus on the positives and what an incredible experience it is to be a part of the movie. I`m so happy people are enjoying it and are excited by it. The audience reaction in cinemas is unusual – I don`t think I`ve heard it – people laughing, giggling, and cheering, so that`s definitely been a big highlight for the year.”
