Ever since Hamilton made the surprising decision to join Ferrari in 2025, the seven-time Formula 1 Champion’s move has been the hot topic in the F1 community. There has been much speculation about the reasons behind his move, who will replace him at Mercedes, and whether it was a wise decision. However, a crucial aspect to consider is whether Hamilton can achieve Championship success with the Scuderia, a team that has struggled to win titles since 2008. This becomes even more significant when we look at the unsuccessful attempts of other F1 Champions like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel to bring Ferrari back to their winning ways.
Having been a part of Ferrari since 2004, starting as a test engineer and later becoming the race engineer for Felipe Massa from 2006 to 2013, Smedley possesses valuable insights into the team. He is able to provide some predictions about Hamilton’s chances of triumphing in the iconic red car. During an interview with the F1 Nation podcast, Smedley expressed his belief that Hamilton’s professionalism and expertise will elevate every aspect of the team. He also highlighted the progress Ferrari has shown in recent years, even being able to challenge Red Bull at times, particularly in qualifying. However, Smedley acknowledged that there are areas in which Ferrari needs improvement if they want to genuinely compete for world championships.
While some may question how the dynamics between Hamilton and Ferrari’s chosen driver, Charles Leclerc, will unfold, Smedley sees Hamilton’s arrival as a positive influence. He believes that Hamilton can act as a catalyst, uniting the team and pushing them to give that extra one percent. Smedley draws parallels to Red Bull’s resurgence after a period of struggle, emphasizing that once a team starts winning, it becomes difficult to stop. He suggests that specific interventions, such as breaking up the team or key drivers leaving, are necessary to halt a period of domination. However, with influential figures like Hamilton leading the team, a winning mentality becomes ingrained, making it challenging for the team to lose. Smedley concludes by suggesting that this could be the case with Ferrari.
After his time at Ferrari, Smedley followed Massa to Williams for the 2014 F1 season, where he served as the Head of Vehicle Performance until 2018. From 2019 to 2020, he worked as an expert technical consultant for Formula One Group and currently holds the position of Director of Data Systems within the group.