James Vowles pulls no punches as the seven-time world champion struggles to find his footing at Maranello
FORMULA 1 — What was once hailed as a historic partnership between a living legend and the most iconic team in motorsport has descended into a season of disappointment. Lewis Hamilton’s first year with Ferrari has turned from dream to disaster as the seven-time world champion faces one of the toughest campaigns of his illustrious career.
Twelve races into the 2025 Formula 1 season, Hamilton remains winless, with inconsistent performances and a glaring lack of podium finishes. For a driver who once dominated the sport with surgical precision, his current form is shockingly unrecognizable.
Vowles: “Zero Doubt” About Hamilton’s Decline
Renowned F1 strategist and team principal James Vowles didn’t mince words when addressing Hamilton’s slump.
“Zero doubt remains about Hamilton’s dismal campaign with Ferrari,” Vowles said, offering a blunt assessment that has rippled across the paddock.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was supposed to be a storybook finale — the final flourish in a career defined by brilliance. Instead, it’s raising hard questions about whether his best days are behind him.
A Season of Struggles
Since joining Ferrari from Mercedes, Hamilton has found himself lost in the midfield battle, unable to extract consistent performance from the SF-25. Technical issues, strategic missteps, and raw pace gaps have all contributed to his underwhelming results.
Meanwhile, teammate Charles Leclerc has occasionally outshone the British veteran, only intensifying the scrutiny surrounding Hamilton’s performance.
In what was supposed to be a title-contending year, Hamilton now sits outside the top five in the championship standings, far from the front-running fight between Red Bull, McLaren, and Aston Martin.
A Legacy Under Threat?
The dramatic fall in form has triggered widespread debate about Hamilton’s future in Formula 1. With his age, the weight of expectation, and the unforgiving spotlight of the Scuderia, some insiders wonder whether his move to Ferrari came too late.
“This isn’t the Hamilton we remember,” said one senior paddock source. “He needs something extraordinary to turn this around — and fast.”
What Comes Next?
With ten races remaining, the pressure is reaching boiling point. Ferrari’s top brass are still publicly backing the British star, but behind closed doors, contingency plans for 2026 are already being discussed. Hamilton, for his part, remains focused — but even he must know the next few rounds could define his Ferrari legacy.
He must now find a way to deliver — not just for the team, but for his reputation, which risks being overshadowed by a move that has, so far, only produced headlines of failure.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter is still being written — but unless something changes fast, it risks becoming a cautionary tale in the high-stakes world of Formula 1.
