'Hamilton's Ferrari relationship better than what you see from the outside'

21:41, 14 Dec

byLuke-John Buckle

A key member of the Ferrari team is adamant that Lewis Hamilton's relationship with the Scuderia is much better than it seems from the outside.

“I think what you see from the outside is much worse than what it is."

- Matteo Togninalli

The head of track engineering at Ferrari, Matteo Togninalli, is sure that Hamilton has a better relationship with Ferrari than many people realise.

Togninalli explained via PlanetF1.com that it is very difficult to switch teams, particularly as Hamilton was with Mercedes for 12 years.

He said: “I’m sure you are all aware, but for the driver changing team, mainly for a driver like Lewis, who spent 10 years in the same team, has a certain level of experience…

“You are used to certain people. You are used to doing things in a certain way.

“Then, if you put this in context, Lewis was fighting for world championships, and it’s a fact this year, we didn’t achieve the target of fighting for the world championship.

Photo: Race Pictures

“So you put the frustration in this, creating the situation. I think what you see from the outside is much worse than what it is. I think the relationship with Lewis, what we are building with Lewis, is extremely positive.”

Hamilton endured a very difficult campaign in 2025, failing to score a podium finish.

The seven-time world champion did have some near misses, such as at Silverstone and Imola, where he finished fourth.

Hamilton defends Ferrari's decision to stop developing the SF-25 early

Ferrari endured a difficult season as they stuttered to fourth in the Constructors' Championship.

The Italian team didn't win a Grand Prix and stopped aerodynamic development in April.

Hamilton still feels it was the right choice to prioritise 2026 so early in the year.

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