Hamilton left frustrated but encouraged after Leclerc leads Ferrari One-Three at Silverstone

Lewis Hamilton admitted Ferrari still has work to do despite an encouraging British Grand Prix, as team-mate Charles Leclerc claimed an emotional victory to end a difficult run of form and underline the Scuderia's growing strength.

Leclerc led from the start at Silverstone to secure his first victory in 624 days, capping a remarkable turnaround after a series of frustrating weekends that had left both his confidence and performances under scrutiny. Hamilton completed a strong afternoon for Ferrari by finishing third, although the seven-time world champion was left wondering what might have been after a costly jump start and a five-second time penalty.

For Leclerc, the victory was about much more than adding another win to his Formula One record. It represented a response to mounting criticism after mistakes and mechanical problems had derailed his recent campaigns in Monaco, Barcelona and Austria.

"When things get tough, there's a lot of negativity around me with narratives being created," Leclerc said. "It's never a nice environment to work in. I'm super proud of the whole team for helping me find that feeling again with the car."

The Monegasque revealed Ferrari discovered a breakthrough between Saturday's Sprint race and qualifying after making subtle changes to suit his driving style. The improved confidence was immediately reflected in his pace, allowing him to control much of the race despite late pressure before a Safety Car ultimately secured his advantage.

"I knew what to do inside the car and I felt very comfortable, especially in the first stint," Leclerc explained. "Then I understood that the win was a possibility."

Hamilton was among the first to congratulate his team-mate, acknowledging Leclerc simply had the stronger package on the day.

The Briton's race unravelled almost immediately when he moved before the lights went out, earning a five-second penalty that compromised his afternoon. Hamilton also admitted he made a setup decision that left him battling significant understeer after opting for a different rear wing configuration to Leclerc.

Despite the disappointment, Hamilton believes Ferrari's overall performance offers genuine encouragement as the team continues its challenge against Mercedes.

Hamilton also praised Ferrari's operational improvements, highlighting consistency and execution as major strengths in the championship fight.

While Leclerc cautioned against reading too much into one exceptional weekend, Ferrari's recent form has undoubtedly raised expectations after winning two of the last three races.

The 28-year-old admitted the team arrived at Silverstone expecting to be as much as half a second off the pace, making Sunday's dominant display even more surprising.

With Spa-Francorchamps next on the calendar, both Ferrari drivers leave Silverstone encouraged. Leclerc has rediscovered the confidence he feared had slipped away, while Hamilton believes the team's development direction is beginning to pay dividends. Even after a frustrating home race, there was a sense Ferrari has finally found momentum at a crucial stage of the championship.