Lewis Hamilton makes clear Ferrari demand: 'That's priority'

Lewis Hamilton has dealt Ferrari a clear demand that having a car he can be victorious in next season is the "priority". 

The seven-time world champion has endured a difficult start to life in red, with Ferrari's 2025 challenger not performing as Hamilton nor Charles Leclerc want. 

Hamilton is yet to secure a podium for the Maranello-based outfit, although did claim a surprise sprint win back in China. 

All season so far, the 40-year-old has struggled for outright pace, resulting in him often qualifying behind Leclerc. 

Race pace has, unsurprisingly, been Hamilton's strength, yet he does find himself 25 points adrift of his team-mate. 

Throughout the year, it has been stressed by the 105-time race winner that this campaign is all about settling into Ferrari, before going on a title charge next year. 

With the new power unit regulations being introduced next season, Hamilton has demanded that a car capable of victories is designed by the Scuderia.

"Yeah, it's my first half of the year in a new team," Hamilton told select media, including RacingNews365. "It's interesting to see how different teams work and operate. 

"There's been times in my career where you've had a whole bunch of upgrades very, very early on in the season, and then you plough ahead very early, and then you stop and taper off. 

"And sometimes it's been slower. Here, it's also in the last year of this generation of cars, harder to find performance. And also, keep the focus on next year.

"The fact is, with this car, hopefully we can still fight for second in the constructors'. That would be great. But I want a car that can win next year. So, that's priority."