A difficult start with the Scuderia raises questions as Leclerc outshines the seven-time champion
MARANELLO — Nine races into the 2025 Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari is proving far more complicated than the dream narrative once promised. Despite a bright moment early in the season, the seven-time world champion is struggling to find form, consistency, and momentum in his new red overalls.
A Spark in China, Followed by Decline
Hamilton’s most promising moment came in Shanghai, where he secured a win in the Sprint Race, briefly silencing critics. However, that result was not replicated in the main Grand Prix that weekend, where a post-race disqualification for excessive plank wear wiped away one of his strongest showings.
Since then, the British driver has failed to register another top-five finish in a full-length race. At the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton crossed the line in sixth, continuing a trend of underwhelming results that have left him sixth in the Drivers’ Championship.
Leclerc’s Contrast: Same Car, Different Story
While Hamilton works to adapt, teammate Charles Leclerc has asserted himself as Ferrari’s lead driver. The Monegasque has claimed three Grand Prix podiums so far, including consecutive finishes in Monaco and Barcelona, widening the performance gap within the team and drawing inevitable comparisons.
Critics Raise Concerns
Hamilton’s form has prompted intense scrutiny, particularly from former drivers and Italian media:
-
Johnny Herbert, a former F1 driver and Sky Sports analyst, suggested Hamilton is facing a late-career decline, comparing his struggle to Michael Schumacher’s final years at Mercedes.
-
Italian outlet Corriere della Sera called Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter “in full crisis,” criticizing both his performance and Ferrari’s decision-making regarding setup and strategy.
-
Speculation also surrounds Hamilton’s working relationship with his new engineer, Riccardo Adami, which has yet to show the cohesion he once had at Mercedes.
Ferrari’s Pivot: Looking Ahead to 2026
Ferrari has reportedly decided to scale back development of the SF-25—the car Hamilton is currently piloting—in favor of prioritizing their 2026 project, when sweeping new technical regulations come into play. The decision aligns with Hamilton’s own long-term vision but all but concedes that 2025 may not yield championship contention.
According to team insiders, the goal now is building familiarity and performance rhythm in preparation for the next era of F1, where Hamilton’s experience could still prove decisive.
Hamilton Responds
Despite growing criticism, Hamilton remains composed. Speaking after the Spanish Grand Prix, he admitted the start of his Ferrari journey has been “more difficult than expected,” but insisted that adaptation is still ongoing.
“We’re continuing to work hard to find the right setup, the right direction. It’s not easy, but we’re not giving up. There’s still a long season ahead.”
What Comes Next
As the grid prepares for the Canadian Grand Prix, attention will again fall on whether Hamilton can arrest his downward trend and return to form. If results fail to improve soon, questions about whether this Ferrari experiment can deliver on its promise will only intensify.
Season Snapshot: Hamilton at Ferrari (After 9 Races)
| Category | Performance |
|---|---|
| Championship Position | 6th |
| Podiums | 1 (Sprint Race – China) |
| Grand Prix Top 5s | 0 |
| Best Full-Race Finish | 6th (Spanish GP) |
| Teammate Comparison | Leclerc: 3 GP podiums, top-3 in standings |
Conclusion
Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari was one of the most anticipated moves in modern Formula 1 history. But nearly halfway into the season, the results paint a picture of struggle, not supremacy. While there’s still time to turn the tide, the early returns suggest that this chapter may demand far more patience, resilience, and reinvention than anyone expected.
