Is Lewis Hamilton Repeating Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari Mistake? Ex-Boss Slams ‘Useless’ Technical Reports

Arrivabene, who led the team from 2015 to 2019, warned that the Briton’s habit of sending detailed technical reports to the team is as “useless” as Vettel’s were during his tenure.

« When a driver starts playing engineer, it’s time to turn off the lights. »
— Maurizio Arrivabene, Former Ferrari Team Principal

Hamilton’s Technical Dossiers

Since joining Ferrari, Hamilton has been proactively involved in the team’s development, drafting comprehensive technical documents regarding structural and aerodynamic improvements. After the summer break, he admitted to sending three separate dossiers to the team.

However, Arrivabene dismissed the value of such reports. « Sebastian Vettel also sent these kinds of dossiers, » he recalled. « He wrote, spoke, and shared everything. But it was almost useless. » Arrivabene’s critique underscores a cultural clash at Ferrari: while Hamilton’s intent is constructive, the hierarchy may view his input as overstepping.

The Vettel Precedent: A Warning

Arrivabene’s comments echo his public rebuke of Vettel in 2016. Vettel’s attempts to influence the team’s direction strained his relationship with the Scuderia, ultimately contributing to his premature exit. « The devil is in the details, » Arrivabene noted, emphasizing that drivers often lack the specialized engineering knowledge to dictate factory decisions.

Ferrari’s Cultural Resistance

The core issue, according to insiders, is Ferrari’s institutional pride. The Scuderia has a long history of resisting external influence. Hamilton’s collaborative, data-driven approach—honed during his dominant years at Mercedes—clashes with Ferrari’s top-down structure.

« At Mercedes, Lewis was part of the process. At Ferrari, he’s seen as an outsider trying to dictate terms, » a paddock insider explained.

Conclusion

Lewis Hamilton’s first year at Ferrari has been a humbling experience. Maurizio Arrivabene’s comparison serves as a stark warning: overstepping into technical domains can backfire at Maranello. As Ferrari prepares for 2026, Hamilton faces a choice: adapt to the team’s culture or risk becoming another cautionary tale.