Lewis Hamilton demands Ferrari investigation after power struggles at Japanese Grand Prix

Posted : 29 March 2026

Lewis Hamilton has called for a detailed explanation from Ferrari after a frustrating afternoon at the Japanese Grand Prix left him finishing in sixth place. Despite a strategic safety car period that briefly placed him in podium contention, the British driver was unable to defend his position in the closing stages. Hamilton expressed confusion over the radio regarding a perceived lack of deployment compared to his teammate, Charles Leclerc.

The race began with a mediocre start for the Ferrari pair, though they gained ground when pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli initially bogged down. Hamilton struggled for pace in the opening stint and repeatedly complained to his engineer about losing time on the straights. He noted that the top five runners were pulling away despite his best efforts to manage his tires and energy levels.

A heavy crash for Haas driver Oliver Bearman on lap 22 brought out a safety car, providing Hamilton with a "cheap" pit stop. Following the restart, he successfully overtook George Russell and appeared to be on course for a second consecutive podium. However, his SF-26 soon lacked the necessary battery deployment to hold off charging rivals during the final laps at Suzuka.

Leclerc eventually passed Hamilton with a bold move around the outside of Turn 1, leading to minor contact between the two Ferraris. Former champion Jenson Button suggested that Hamilton may have made a tactical error by harvesting energy for too long during the battle. This allowed Leclerc, who was utilizing his car's "Overtake Mode," to build a decisive speed advantage on the back straight.

Hamilton sounded dejected after the race, noting that his car felt underpowered compared to both Leclerc and McLaren's Lando Norris. He insisted that the team must investigate whether his engine was underperforming or if there was a calibration issue with the new 2026 power unit. The result marks Hamilton's worst finish of the season as he continues to adapt to life with the Scuderia.

While Leclerc secured a hard-fought third place to maintain Ferrari's 100% podium record this season, Hamilton has dropped 31 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The team will now head into the April break searching for answers to the performance disparity between their two drivers. Ferrari management is expected to review the data to determine if Hamilton's complaints were linked to a mechanical fault.

Lewis Hamilton demands Ferrari investigation after power struggles at Japanese Grand Prix

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