Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari has turned into a challenging ordeal as his chances of winning another championship dwindle rapidly. The seven-time Formula 1 champion moved to Ferrari in early 2025, igniting hopes that he could secure an unprecedented eighth title and revive Ferrari’s long-dormant championship success.
When Hamilton announced his surprise departure from Mercedes before the 2024 season, many believed it marked a new era of dominance for the British driver at the iconic Italian team. However, the reality has diverged sharply from those expectations, with Hamilton’s 2025 campaign failing to generate the momentum required to challenge for the title.
Ferrari’s Championship Challenges Mirror a Troubling Past
Rather than rewriting history, Hamilton’s current predicament at Ferrari evokes memories of Michael Schumacher’s unremarkable final years at Mercedes following his return from retirement. Hamilton has endured a relatively quiet period in the title race since the introduction of the ground effect regulations in 2022, with his best finish being third place in 2023.
Despite this setback, Hamilton remains adamant that he will not replicate Ferrari‘s recent history of championship near-misses. The team last clinched the driver’s title in 2007 with Kimi Räikkönen, and since then, their efforts, even with championship-winning drivers on board, have fallen short of regaining the top spot in the standings.
Speaking at the Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton openly discussed the vast potential he sees within Ferrari, alongside the frustrations caused by the complex and imperfect operation of the team.
“I see a huge amount of potential within this team. The passion – nothing comes close to that. But it’s a huge organisation, and there are a lot of moving parts. And not all of them are firing on all the cylinders that they need to be.”
—Lewis Hamilton, F1 Driver
“That’s ultimately why the team has not had the success that I think it deserves. So, I feel that it’s my job to challenge absolutely every area, to challenge everybody in the team—particularly the guys that are at the top who are making the decisions.”
—Lewis Hamilton, F1 Driver
“If you look at the team over the last 20 years, they’ve had amazing drivers: Kimi, Fernando, Sebastian—all world champions. However, they didn’t win a world championship. And for me, I refuse for that to be the case with me.”
—Lewis Hamilton, F1 Driver
The So-Called ‘Ferrari Curse’ Affecting F1 Champions
Hamilton is not the first former world champion to struggle within Ferrari’s structure. Since their last drivers‘ championship in 2008, the Scuderia has signed seasoned champions such as Fernando Alonso, a two-time titleholder, and Sebastian Vettel, who won four drivers’ championships before joining.
Both Alonso and Vettel entered Ferrari with hopes of reigniting their championship careers, yet neither succeeded in securing a drivers’ title with the storied team. Hamilton’s move was initially expected to break this pattern, but as time passes, the so-called Ferrari curse appears to haunt him as well.
With the 40-year-old Hamilton under contract only until the end of the 2026 season, pressure is mounting. His body language at recent events like the Hungarian Grand Prix signals growing frustration, suggesting his patience with Ferrari’s pace of progress may be wearing thin.
Moving Forward: Can Hamilton Overcome Ferrari’s Obstacles?
Despite a slow start, Hamilton has committed to pushing Ferrari towards progress, especially aiming for improvements in the 2026 car. He has taken on the role of scrutinizing every aspect of the team’s operation, aiming to reverse the trend of missed opportunities that has plagued Ferrari in recent years.
However, the question remains: can Hamilton break free of the barriers that have hindered previous champions at Ferrari and secure the elusive title many expected when he first arrived? With the season unfolding and the clock ticking on his contract, the coming months will be critical for both the driver and the legendary team.