Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the recent situation surrounding Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, including the so-called “ultimatum” and why some are calling it a volatile or “very dark” scenario. I’ve drawn from multiple current reports to give you the fullest perspective.
1. 
What Happened? The Ferrari Ultimatum
An “ultimatum” was reportedly issued to Ferrari’s management by former F1 champion Juan Pablo Montoya and echoed in F1 media: either Ferrari rectifies the abrupt and erratic performance issues affecting Lewis Hamilton—or face deeper fallout.
Montoya’s voice amplified a growing sentiment: Ferrari must make serious structural and personnel changes, specifically targeting roles like race engineers or performance strategists hampering Hamilton’s setup and race results . It’s not just criticism—it’s a demand for accountability at the highest levels.
2. 
Why “Very Dark”? Ferrari’s Current Struggle
Legendary former Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg described Hamilton’s situation at Ferrari as “very dark”, especially following a punishing outing at the Spanish Grand Prix .
Why? Because despite Hamilton’s undeniable skill and Ferrari’s history of excellence, the team has underdelivered spectacularly:
• In races like the Spanish GP, Hamilton has finished far off the pace—placed sixth, behind even midfield contenders .
• His performance contrasts starkly with teammate Charles Leclerc, who consistently lands on the podium—including third place in Spain—indicating a clear performance gap.
This isn’t just “not meeting expectations.” It’s a sudden, bewildering decline for a top driver, causing alarm within the organization and F1 community. Rosberg put it bluntly: “When you don’t have any answers, it’s really tough as a driver.” 
3. 
Hamilton’s Challenges: No Answers, No Pace
Hamilton’s issues with Ferrari this season are multifaceted:
• No consistent pace: At Imola, he showed promise—running fourth—but followed up with a poor performance at Barcelona .
• No clear explanation: Was it floor damage? Aerodynamics? Setup issues? Hamilton and Ferrari seem blind to the root cause .
• Imbalanced team performance: Leclerc’s strong results highlight that it’s not just the car—someone on Hamilton’s side isn’t getting it right. The disparity adds weight to Montoya’s call for a shake-up.
4. 
Montoya’s Ultimatum: Fix or Face Fallout
Montoya urged Hamilton to be angrier, suggesting a more assertive stance could spur Ferrari into action. Key suggestions include:
• Firing or reshuffling key personnel (e.g., engineers, strategists) responsible for Hamilton’s consistent underperformance .
• Demanding transparency and clarity around the car’s deficiencies to ensure Hamilton receives the support required to perform at his usual high level.
This isn’t idle talk—Montoya’s voiced it publicly, signalling the intensity of concern around Hamilton’s campaign thus far.
5. 
Team Impact & Internal Turbulence
Hamilton’s struggles have broader implications:
• Morale within Ferrari is taking a knock—confidence needs wins, and without them, pressure increases exponentially.
• Strategic fractures may be emerging: Are decisions favoring Leclerc over Hamilton? If so, Hamilton’s camp could feel marginalized.
• Media and public perception: Headlines calling Ferrari’s situation “very dark” keep the spotlight on potential internal crisis, risk investor and sponsor confidence, and erode brand prestige.
6. 
Road Ahead: What Ferrari Must Do
For Hamilton and Ferrari to turn this around, three critical actions are needed:
1. Identify the root malfunction: Whether it’s technical or personnel, get surgical clarity on the issue dragging Hamilton’s pace—then act fast.
2. Action on personnel: If Montoya and experts are to be believed, strategic or engineering shifts could be necessary immediately.
3. Clear communication: Hamilton must be part of the solution—not sidelined. Transparent dialogue between driver and team is non-negotiable.
7. 
Long-Term Stakes
• For Hamilton: A Ferrari-stitched season determines not just trophy chances but his longer legacy and position within F1.
• For Ferrari: The Scuderia needs results to keep momentum post-Schumacher and break the McLaren/Mercedes/Red Bull triad.
• For F1: Another underperforming Ferrari team with a world champion onboard affects championship dynamics and fan engagement.
Final Reflection — Why It Matters
This Ferrari ultimatum situation isn’t just gossip—it’s a defining moment:
• It tests Ferrari’s culture: Will they act decisively under pressure?
• It tests Hamilton’s resilience: Can he rebalance mentally and competitively?
• It signals whether the team can still defend its iconic legacy or if it’s slipping into deeper decline.
In summary:
Lewis Hamilton’s tenure at Ferrari has hit a crisis point. With poor race results, internal tension, and public ultimatums from F1 legend Montoya and insiders like Rosberg, the team faces urgent demands: identify what’s wrong, fix it structurally, and restore partnership harmony. Otherwise, Ferrari risks losing its most famous driver and descending further into a “very dark” period.