Lewis Hamilton resigned to Ferrari fate as 'a lot of things need to be changed'

Lewis Hamilton has unfortunately realised that he will not be fighting for grand prix victories this season with Ferrari due to the fact that "a lot of things need to be changed".

From a bright beginning with a sprint win from pole position in the second race of the year in China, the wheels then very quickly fell off the bandwagon for the seven-time F1 champion and the Scuderia.

The double disqualification from the grand prix in Shanghai was a brutal kick in the teeth, since when, the performance of the SF-25 has been severely lacking, to such an extent on occasion that Hamilton has been left clueless as to why.

Hamilton has at least consistently finished in the points, but rarely at any stage has he had a car he has felt comfortable with, and that has given him a hope of pushing for podium places, never mind race wins.

The 40-year-old recognises his time with Ferrari is a work in progress, and victories will take time.

"What all of you guys don't see is what's happening in the background, and a lot is going on," said Hamilton, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365. "There's a lot that needs improving. A lot of things need to be changed.

"For me, I know we're not fighting for a win this year, I know we're not in the championship, which is not a great feeling.

"I also know I'm in a period of getting accustomed to working with the team, foundation building, and trying to steer them to make those changes so that next year we can have a car that can win, we can then fight, be consistent and have strategy, and all those different things.

"So with that in mind, I'm okay, but obviously I want to win, and when you're not competing in the front, you're not fighting for podiums, I'm definitely a little bit gutted about that.

"I was hoping [in Montreal] I'd fight for a podium, but we didn't have the performance, apparently. Hopefully, with an upgrade, maybe at some stage, we'll be a bit sharper."

Hamilton hopes high for Austria

From fifth on the grid, Hamilton's challenge for a top-three finish was wrecked on lap 12 when he ran over a groundhog, causing damage to the car that cost him 20 points of downforce, and a loss of half a second per lap.

In terms of progress for Hamilton this season, he feels it will be less about the car coming to him and more about him adapting.

As far as Hamilton was concerned, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve "highlighted the weaknesses of the car".

"I've never had a car understeer so much in the low speed here," he said. "It just didn't want to turn through Turn 2 and Turn 10, so definitely not my most favourite weekend. Hopefully, the next one [in Austria] will feel better.

"It's all medium and high speed, so I think we'll be a bit better. I think the car is pretty good in high speed, so hopefully we'll be a bit stronger.

"I don't think we'll be on the pace of the McLarens, and also the Red Bulls are really quick in the high speed, but hopefully we'll still be in there."