F1 Champion Nigel Mansell Claims Ferrari Have “Lost S… read more
The world of Formula 1 is no stranger to dramatic transitions, high expectations, and the relentless pursuit of performance. However, the 2025 season has presented a particularly intriguing story arc with Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, a chapter many hoped would reignite the Briton’s racing dominance. But as the season reaches its halfway point, former world champion Nigel Mansell has offered a sobering assessment of Ferrari’s current predicament, claiming that the legendary team has “lost something” during the winter — a sentiment echoed across the paddock.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2024 sent shockwaves through the sport. After a 12-year tenure at Mercedes — a partnership that yielded six world titles and numerous record-breaking feats — Hamilton sought a new challenge. The switch was seen as a romantic return to Formula 1’s most iconic team, and fans and pundits alike hoped it would mark the beginning of a glorious final chapter in his illustrious career. However, the dream has so far failed to materialize.
Nigel Mansell, the 1992 Formula 1 World Champion and a former Ferrari driver himself, weighed in on the situation during the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed — a celebration of motorsport history and heritage held at the iconic Goodwood Estate. Mansell, who raced for Ferrari in 1989 and 1990, has a deep understanding of the team’s culture and the unique pressures that come with driving in red.
During the event, Mansell piloted both his championship-winning Williams FW14B and a freshly restored FW11, delighting fans with high-speed demos and reflections on his storied career. However, his comments regarding Hamilton and Ferrari’s form this season have sparked considerable conversation. When asked about Hamilton’s decision to join the Scuderia, Mansell was full of praise for the seven-time champion: “Lewis is fantastic, a great world champion, and I wish him and Ferrari well.”
Yet, he didn’t shy away from expressing his concern about Ferrari’s current state. “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,” Mansell remarked. His words echoed a broader sentiment felt by many fans and observers: Ferrari, once brimming with momentum, appear to have taken a significant step backward.
The statistics bear out Mansell’s assessment. In 2024, Ferrari showed flashes of brilliance, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc securing three double podiums — a feat that suggested Ferrari had turned a corner. This season, however, has been starkly different. Not only has Ferrari struggled to match the pace of McLaren and Red Bull, but Hamilton himself has yet to finish on the podium in a full grand prix. His only victory so far came in a sprint race in China — a performance that briefly offered hope, but has not been replicated in full-length races.
Hamilton’s struggles are emblematic of broader issues within the team. While Charles Leclerc has continued to fight valiantly, the car has failed to deliver consistent results. The SF-25 lacks the balance and straight-line speed needed to compete at the front, and strategic missteps have further compounded the team’s woes. Ferrari’s inability to capitalize on the strengths of both drivers, especially a veteran like Hamilton, has become a major talking point within the paddock.
For Hamilton, the frustrations are mounting. At 40 years old, the Briton knows his window for securing an eighth world title is closing rapidly. Yet rather than dwell on the disappointments of 2025, he appears to be shifting his focus toward the future. Recently, Hamilton commented on Ferrari’s slump, suggesting that the one silver lining is the clarity it has given him for 2026: “At least now, I know exactly what I don’t want from next year’s car.”
That next car, according to Hamilton, will feature much more of his “DNA” — a clear indication that he plans to take a more hands-on approach in development. Drawing from his years of technical collaboration at Mercedes, Hamilton’s experience could prove invaluable in steering Ferrari in the right direction. But that will take time, and it remains uncertain whether the Scuderia’s organizational structure and engineering departments can respond swiftly enough.
Mansell’s insight, coming from someone who has lived the Ferrari experience, should not be dismissed. He understands the unique blend of passion and pressure that defines the team. Ferrari’s global fanbase — the famous tifosi — are known for their unwavering support, but also for demanding results. The lack of podiums, the inconsistent race pace, and a general absence of the fighting spirit that defined Ferrari’s previous campaign have left many wondering whether the Hamilton experiment is destined to fail.
Still, it’s too early to write off Hamilton’s time at Maranello. Great champions often endure setbacks before achieving success, and Hamilton has shown remarkable resilience throughout his career. His willingness to embrace a long-term project, combined with Ferrari’s massive resources and historic legacy, means the ingredients for a turnaround are still there.
In the end, Mansell’s words serve both as a warning and a rallying cry. Ferrari have indeed lost something — be it performance, cohesion, or direction — but the opportunity to regain their footing remains. For Hamilton, 2025 may be a year of learning and adaptation, but if the lessons of this season shape the car of 2026, perhaps the championship dream is not yet lost.
