Former F1 champion Nigel Mansell has expressed his belief that Ferrari deteriorated over the winter break before Lewis Hamilton joined the team for the 2025 season. After leaving Mercedes following a dozen years and six drivers‘ championships, Hamilton hoped to revive his career with Ferrari but has struggled to reach the podium halfway through this year’s championship.
Hamilton’s transition came after a challenging period marked by a lack of victories from 2021 to 2024. Despite his expectations, the 40-year-old has yet to stand on the podium in a Ferrari during his debut season, highlighting ongoing issues for the iconic Italian team.
Mansell’s Experience and Observations at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Mansell, who raced for Ferrari in 1989 and 1990 before claiming the world title with Williams in 1992, appeared at the 2025 Festival of Speed at Goodwood Estate. There, he drove his championship-winning Williams FW14B and a restored FW11, while participating in an event celebrating Formula 1’s heritage.
When questioned about Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Mansell commented on the champion’s career earnings and talent, saying,
“I think it’s fantastic, he earns in one year what I got, well, I needed another ten years to earn!”
He added,
“No, Lewis is fantastic, a great world champion, and I wish him and Ferrari well.”
However, Mansell voiced concern over Ferrari’s current standing:
“I just wish Ferrari would get something back that they had last year, because they should be competing at the top, and they’ve lost something this winter,”
—Nigel Mansell, Former F1 Champion.
Ferrari’s Fading Competitiveness with New Driver Line-Up
Last season, Ferrari showed stronger results, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc securing three double podiums. This success starkly contrasts with 2025, where the new driver pairing has yet to replicate such results, save for Hamilton’s sprint race victory in China, which remains a rare highlight.
The absence of regular podium finishes points to Ferrari’s loss of competitive edge and suggests the team is struggling to find pace or consistency this year. Hamilton appears mindful of these challenges and is looking ahead to 2026, expressing hope that next year’s car will better reflect his preferences and style.
Reflecting on the current struggles, Hamilton recently mentioned that one positive aspect of this difficult season is gaining a clear understanding of what he wants to avoid for the 2026 car, aiming to imprint more of his “DNA” on the vehicle design.
Implications for Ferrari and the Future of Hamilton’s Campaign
Mansell’s remarks and Ferrari’s performance drop underscore a critical moment for the team as they attempt to regain their position at the front of the grid. With Hamilton’s vast experience and competitive spirit, Ferrari’s ability to bounce back will depend on addressing the issues that emerged during the winter development and improving reliability and pace.
As the 2025 season continues, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see if they can reverse their recent decline and restore themselves as championship contenders, while Hamilton’s adaptation to the Scuderia’s environment remains a focal point for fans and analysts alike.