Hamilton seizes control as Spa enhancement indicates a renewed effort.

      "I created a comprehensive document for the team."

      Lewis Hamilton expresses his commitment to avoid the mistakes made by Ferrari’s past leading drivers as the team introduces a significant upgrade package this weekend at Spa. Ferrari has implemented a new rear suspension and updated rear wing in Belgium, developed under the supervision of Loic Serra, who worked with Hamilton at Mercedes. These modifications signify Ferrari's most important update in a while and indicate a renewed effort to narrow the gap with McLaren and Red Bull.

      "It's highly unlikely that we will fully optimize it this weekend," Hamilton stated on Thursday. "We will likely be refining it over the next few weekends." Despite simulator tests indicating "no difference," Hamilton found it encouraging that new components are finally arriving. "The positive aspect is seeing that new parts are being introduced. There’s clearly a significant effort being made back at the factory."

      Hamilton has played a crucial role in that effort. During the break, he spent several days in Maranello, meeting with Ferrari president John Elkann, team principal Frederic Vasseur, technical directors, and department heads—including Serra—to strategize changes for the current car and for 2025. "I’ve sent over documents. After the first few races, I prepared a comprehensive document for the team. During the break, I sent two more," he disclosed. "Some of it involves structural adjustments, while the other focused more on the car itself."

      Hamilton mentioned that he is using his experiences from McLaren and Mercedes to ensure he doesn’t face the same fate as previous Ferrari stars. "If you examine the team over the last 20 years, they’ve had fantastic drivers—Kimi (Raikkonen), Fernando (Alonso), Sebastian (Vettel). Yet, they didn’t win a world championship," he remarked. "I refuse to let that happen to me. I’m going the extra mile. I’m here to win. I don’t have the luxury of time," he added, gesturing toward his successor at Mercedes, 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli. "It’s critical now," the 40-year-old Hamilton acknowledged.

      Charles Leclerc, who also tested the new suspension during Ferrari’s recent filming at Mugello, advised caution. "It’s a shift that is moving in the right direction," he said. "However, even with the best components, I doubt they will provide the three or four tenths we need." Nevertheless, Leclerc concluded, "I’m pleased to have them on the car, and you might be surprised."