Lewis Hamilton’s first year competing for Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 season has sparked extensive discussion and criticism, often disproportionate to the realities faced. Despite the early year’s enthusiastic hype surrounding Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari, the team’s inability to seriously contend for the championship led to widespread disappointment across fans and media outlets in both Britain and Italy. However, framing the Lewis Hamilton Ferrari season challenges solely as failures overlooks important factors that deserve thoughtful consideration.
Unlike Hamilton, Carlos Sainz did not attract the same intense scrutiny when he first joined Ferrari, nor would Max Verstappen likely face similar pressure if he struggled at a new team. It is becoming clear that winning again with Ferrari will require considerable time, patience, and developmental effort—elements overshadowed by early expectations fueled by hope and media excitement.
Understanding the Difficulties Hamilton Faces Adapting to Ferrari’s Car
Several insiders within Formula 1 have expressed sympathy for Hamilton’s struggles during his early Ferrari tenure, highlighting the challenge of settling into a new team and car setup. Hamilton is piloting a car engineered primarily to suit Charles Leclerc’s driving style; Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, influenced the SF-25’s original development. In contrast, Hamilton has no previous experience racing alongside Leclerc, meaning he had to quickly adapt to a completely different car configuration without the gradual acclimation usually afforded by longer tenure.
At the Austrian Grand Prix, Hamilton openly discussed his frustration with adapting to a car that favors Leclerc’s approach:
“Set-up even closer to Charles, yeah,”
he told reporters.
“He drives a massively oversteering car. Somehow slides the rear, so it doesn’t have degradation. When I slide the rear, I get massive degradation.”
He also reflected on how long it took Sainz to adjust and his own desire to avoid a prolonged adaptation period:
“It’s definitely something I think you have to get used to. Supposedly, it took Carlos a couple of years to get used to. I don’t want to do that.”
Hamilton expressed at Silverstone that he hopes for his ‘own DNA’ in the 2026 Ferrari car, underscoring the understandable need for a vehicle tailored more closely to his driving preferences after a tough transitional year. Given Ferrari’s ongoing tailoring of its car to Leclerc’s style without yet securing a strong championship challenge, developing a car better aligned with Hamilton’s input may be essential for future success.
Why Criticism of Hamilton and Ferrari’s Management Is Premature
Beyond the drivers, Ferrari’s team principal Fred Vasseur has faced harsh assessments, despite the complexity of Ferrari’s rebuilding phase. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently defended Vasseur by drawing parallels to Ferrari’s past struggles under Jean Todt, reminding fans of the patience required for sustainable success in F1.
“Today we talked about Jean Todt. Jean Todt, if I’m not wrong, joined the [Ferrari] team in 1993 and they won the first championship in 2000. ‘93, ‘94, ‘95, ‘96, ‘97, ‘98, ‘99, 2000. Eight years. That’s how it goes, and it comes at cycles,”
Wolff said during a Formula 1 interview.
This historical perspective underlines that Ferrari’s path back to the top is a multi-year project requiring patience from fans, media, and stakeholders. The early disappointment and criticism directed at Hamilton and the team overlook this context, while ignoring that excessive external pressure may hinder rather than help progress.
Moving Forward: Managing Expectations for Ferrari’s Recovery
The intense hype that surrounded Hamilton’s Ferrari debut set unrealistic standards, contributing to a perception of failure that fails to appreciate the real process unfolding. Going forward through 2025 and beyond, it is crucial for both media and fans to temper their expectations and support Ferrari and Hamilton’s journey without disproportionate criticism. Progress is gradual, especially when rebuilding a championship-contending team with a new driver adapting to unfamiliar machinery.
Applying relentless pressure on Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari is unlikely to accelerate their return to winning form. Instead, acknowledging the complexities of the current season and allowing time for adaptation and development will better serve Ferrari’s long-term ambitions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Race car driver Lewis Hamilton openly shares his passion for veganism. He is also involved in investing in plant-based businesses.
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton a vegan?
A. Lewis Hamilton believes he proved skeptics wrong by thriving on a vegan diet. He switched to veganism in 2017, even though doctors advised against it. Since then, he has won four championships and feels more energetic. Hamilton is among several athletes successfully adopting a plant-based diet.