Lewis Hamilton‘s move to Ferrari in 2025 has so far delivered mixed results, with the British driver struggling to adapt to his new car. Despite securing Ferrari’s only win this season in the China Sprint, Hamilton remains 25 points and one position behind his teammate Charles Leclerc in the Drivers’ Championship after ten rounds. Hamilton continues to seek upgrades to the SF-25, with a new floor introduced at the Austrian Grand Prix and further improvements planned for the British Grand Prix weekend.
James Vowles, former Mercedes strategy chief who worked closely with Hamilton during his six World Championship wins, now leading Williams, has observed Hamilton’s ongoing adjustment challenges. Vowles points out Hamilton needs certain qualities from his car to build confidence and perform at his best, a combination Hamilton has yet to fully find with Ferrari.
Insights from James Vowles on Hamilton’s Adaptation
Vowles highlighted that Hamilton requires specific car characteristics to feel strength and confidence, which then allows him to perform strongly throughout a race weekend. He explained,
“Lewis has some elements he needs from a car to feel strength from it, and then it’s a confidence build from him that he then is able to generate from then onwards,”
—James Vowles, Former Mercedes Strategy Chief.
Although Hamilton has not fully found that connection yet, Vowles remains optimistic about the driver’s pace and potential. He noted moments where Hamilton’s confidence was evident, such as during the Miami Grand Prix, where Hamilton was pushing closely ahead of Leclerc.
Reflecting on the wider adaptation to Ferrari’s current car, Vowles emphasized the difficulty drivers face when adjusting to new challenges. He added,
“It’s just not consistently there, weekend on weekend, but when you’re in this, and you can see it with Carlos, you can see with anyone that’s adapting to these cars and changing, there’s so much to keep on top of and learn as a result of it. It’s all possible. It’s all adaption.”
—James Vowles, Former Mercedes Strategy Chief.
Comparing Adaptation: Hamilton Versus Carlos Sainz
Hamilton’s arrival led to Carlos Sainz’s departure from Ferrari, as Sainz moved to Williams after several seasons as a Ferrari driver. Vowles likened Hamilton’s transition to that of Sainz, suggesting that both drivers required time to acclimate to the car’s unique demands. The process involves mastering many variables and adjusting driving styles amid continual technical updates, a challenge that can delay immediate success but usually results in improvement over time.
The Path Forward for Hamilton and Ferrari in 2025
The ongoing technical upgrades to the Ferrari SF-25 and Hamilton’s increasing familiarity with the car hint at potential progress during the second half of the 2025 season. While Hamilton currently trails Leclerc in the championship, his performance glimpses at races like Miami suggest his competitiveness will rise as adaptation continues. With continuous development planned for upcoming Grands Prix, Hamilton’s initial struggles seem likely to evolve into greater pace and consistency.
Overall, Hamilton’s Ferrari struggles in 2025 reflect the complexities of acclimating to a new team and machine rather than a fundamental decline. Insights from James Vowles, combined with technical updates Ferrari is implementing, paint a picture of a turnaround that could challenge the early season narrative as the year advances.