Overview

• Former Ferrari mechanic Francesco Cigarini compared Hamilton’s setup challenges to Vettel’s past struggles and predicted he might seek Vettel’s advice to tame the SF-25.
• Ex-Ferrari driver Arturo Merzario asserted that 90 percent of team insiders opposed Hamilton’s signing for commercial reasons, leaving him with limited support in Maranello.
• Hamilton publicly called himself “nutzlos” after a poor qualifying and hinted that Ferrari may need to consider another driver if his results do not improve.
• Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff maintained that Hamilton can still contend for a world title but only if the car provides consistent feedback, and he encouraged Hamilton to stay on through next year’s new regulations.
• Persistent rear instability and ride-height sensitivity in the SF-25 have undermined Hamilton’s consistency despite a sprint win and a Shanghai pole this season.