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Just In: Hamilton ‘wants Ferrari changes’ as golden opportunity beckons for Horner

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari project has entered another intriguing phase, with fresh reports from Italy claiming that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion wants further changes within the Scuderia as the team attempts to close the gap to its rivals.

The reports come at a difficult moment for Ferrari. Although the team has shown flashes of strong performance during the 2026 campaign, it has struggled to consistently convert that pace into victories and championship momentum. Hamilton’s latest frustrations have therefore intensified discussion about what needs to change at Maranello if Ferrari is to mount a stronger challenge in the future.

According to reports cited by GPFans from Italian media, Hamilton is believed to be pushing for changes involving some key personnel involved in Ferrari’s trackside operation. The reports also suggest that his relationship with team principal Fred Vasseur has come under scrutiny.

However, those claims should be treated as reports rather than established fact. Ferrari has not publicly announced a leadership overhaul, and Hamilton has not publicly called for Vasseur to be removed.

What is confirmed is that Hamilton has previously spoken about the need for Ferrari to improve its organisation and operational processes. Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, he explained that changes inside the team would take time and emphasised that his objective was to help Ferrari return to the front of Formula 1.

Hamilton’s comments have gained additional significance after several difficult weekends for Ferrari. The team has experienced problems both on track and strategically, while its two drivers have also been involved in moments that have attracted considerable attention.

The most notable recent incident came at Monza, when Charles Leclerc forced Hamilton off the circuit during their battle. Leclerc later accepted responsibility, and the two Ferrari drivers held a private conversation to clear the air.

Hamilton subsequently revealed that Ferrari still does not have formal written rules of engagement between its drivers. He contrasted that situation with his experience at Mercedes, where procedures were more clearly established. Despite the disagreement, Hamilton said he respected Leclerc and believed the relationship could move forward.

The situation has now created a wider debate about Ferrari’s structure and whether further changes could help the team become more effective.

That is where Christian Horner enters the conversation.

The former Red Bull team principal has repeatedly been linked with a possible return to Formula 1 following his departure from Red Bull. His name has previously been connected with Ferrari, although there is currently no confirmed agreement or announcement that he is joining the Italian team.

Horner’s reputation was built during a lengthy Red Bull career in which the team became one of Formula 1’s most successful operations. His experience managing championship-winning drivers, engineers and commercial interests naturally makes his name attractive whenever questions about team leadership emerge.

Recent reports have therefore presented Ferrari’s current situation as a potential opening for Horner. However, describing it as an opportunity is very different from confirming that negotiations are taking place.

For Ferrari, the immediate priority remains performance. Mercedes has established a substantial lead in the constructors’ championship, while Kimi Antonelli has emerged as the dominant force in the 2026 drivers’ standings. After the Spanish Grand Prix, Antonelli held a 101-point advantage over Hamilton, while Mercedes led Ferrari by 145 points in the constructors’ standings.

Hamilton’s own championship challenge has consequently suffered a major setback. His Spanish Grand Prix ended after only seven laps because of a brake problem, and the Ferrari driver subsequently acknowledged that Antonelli and Mercedes had become extremely difficult to stop.

Ferrari has nevertheless continued working to improve its package. Hamilton was back in action less than 48 hours after the Spanish Grand Prix for Pirelli’s tyre-development test at Imola, giving the team another opportunity to gather data and continue its development programme.

The latest reports therefore arrive at a potentially important moment for Ferrari. Hamilton wants the team to improve, Ferrari needs to turn its resources into stronger results, and speculation surrounding Horner has once again placed the team’s future leadership under the spotlight.

For now, however, Vasseur remains Ferrari’s team principal and Hamilton remains committed to the project.

Whether the Scuderia responds through internal changes, technical development or a longer-term restructuring will become clearer as the season progresses. What is already apparent is that Ferrari’s problems are no longer simply about finding more performance from its car.

The organisation around the car is now receiving just as much attention — and with Hamilton pushing for Ferrari to return to the front, the decisions made at Maranello could have consequences well beyond the remainder of the 2026 season.