In a shocking revelation just before the Dutch Grand Prix, Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur uncovered critical issues plaguing Lewis Hamilton’s SF25 car, raising alarms about potential sabotage within the team. What was initially perceived as a simple performance problem has been exposed as a fundamental design flaw, threatening not only Hamilton’s season but also the integrity of Ferrari’s entire 2025 project.
Vasseur’s investigation into the SF25, prompted by a series of disappointing performances, revealed alarming discrepancies in the car’s structural behavior. Under stress simulations, the chassis exhibited significant deviations in lateral stiffness, particularly at the front suspension anchor points. This imbalance resulted in Hamilton battling a car that felt as if it were divided into two conflicting entities: a front end that reacted erratically and a rear that lagged behind. The data indicated a staggering 7% loss of stability compared to other cars in similar conditions, forcing Hamilton into a continuous struggle for control during high-speed turns.
But the revelations didn’t stop there. A critical malfunction in the braking system was discovered, with thermal sensors showing a shocking 80°C temperature difference between the front and rear axles. This disparity not only affected braking power but also altered the feel of the brake pedal, creating unpredictable sensations that hampered Hamilton’s renowned precision. The conclusion was devastating: Hamilton was not underperforming; he was wrestling with a machine that betrayed him at every turn.
Compounding the issue, it became evident that the SF25 was designed with a bias towards Carlos Sainz’s driving style, leaving Hamilton grappling with a car that felt alien and unresponsive. The steering system, intended to provide stability, instead became a barrier, disconnecting Hamilton from the track and undermining his confidence. As Vasseur noted, the SF25 had developed a “double personality,” a technical fracture that was fracturing the team from within.
With the Dutch GP looming, Vasseur faced a dire choice: attempt a rapid redesign of the car or risk yet another race filled with frustration for Hamilton. The stakes could not be higher. Ferrari’s reputation and Hamilton’s legacy hang in the balance. The upcoming race is not just another event on the calendar; it is a pivotal moment that could define the trajectory of both the driver and the team.
As the clock ticks down to the Dutch GP, the pressure mounts. Ferrari must unify its technical strategy and deliver a competitive car that can restore Hamilton’s faith. Failure to do so could spell disaster, not just for the current season but for the future of the team’s ambitious 2026 project. The world watches as Hamilton, a legend in the sport, confronts the most profound challenge of his career—navigating a fractured relationship with a car that should be his ally but has become a source of relentless struggle.
In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, time is unforgiving. Each race lost to mechanical issues is a step closer to irrelevance, and every moment Hamilton spends in frustration chips away at the trust he has in the Ferrari team. As Vasseur grapples with the enormity of the situation, one thing is clear: the road ahead is fraught with peril, and the outcome of the Dutch GP may very well determine whether Ferrari can rise from the ashes or succumb to the weight of its own miscalculations. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting. Will Ferrari find a way to salvage its season, or will this be the moment that seals its fate? The world waits with bated breath.