Lewis Hamilton Named Most Disappointing Figure of 2025 F1 Season So Far
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated debut with Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 season has not gone according to plan — and fans are taking notice. In a recent fan poll, the seven-time world champion was voted the biggest letdown of the season so far. Although the poll listed all candidates alphabetically to avoid any perception of bias, Hamilton still drew the most criticism, garnering 31.80% of the votes in a category labeled “negative surprises.”
This disappointing fan verdict comes during what has been a rocky beginning to Hamilton’s new chapter with the Scuderia. After 11 seasons with Mercedes — a tenure that saw him claim six world championships — Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was one of the most talked-about transfers in recent F1 history. The announcement raised expectations sky-high, with many believing the change would reignite his title ambitions and help bring Ferrari back to the top of the standings.
However, reality has not lived up to the hype. Although Hamilton managed to score a sprint race victory in China, his performances throughout the opening rounds of the season have generally fallen short of expectations. The Ferrari SF-25 has proven difficult to master, and Hamilton has visibly struggled to get comfortable behind the wheel. The season’s early triple-header — Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Japan — was particularly painful. In Jeddah, he finished 31 seconds behind teammate Charles Leclerc, sparking concerns among fans and pundits alike. His post-race interviews revealed a sense of confusion and frustration, as he admitted to not understanding where the pace had gone or how to find a workable setup for the car.
This slow start has soured what was supposed to be a triumphant new era. Fans who had been excited to see Hamilton in red — envisioning dramatic duels at the front of the grid — are now questioning whether Ferrari was the right move for the veteran driver. While some blame lies with Ferrari’s ongoing struggles with strategy and consistency, comparisons with Leclerc have made Hamilton’s form look even more lackluster. Leclerc has regularly outperformed him in both qualifying and races, pulling more performance out of the same machinery.
Behind Hamilton in the poll was Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson, who received 19.34% of the vote. Lawson, who had a brief opportunity to race earlier in the season, impressed many with his composure and speed. However, he was quickly sidelined, sparking criticism from fans who believe he deserved more time to showcase his talents. His abrupt exit left many feeling that a promising young driver was unfairly cast aside.
Red Bull Racing itself came in third on the “disappointment” list, with 16.61% of the vote. Despite remaining one of the dominant teams on the grid, Red Bull has faced increasing scrutiny for internal power struggles, controversial strategic decisions, and persistent off-track drama — particularly regarding its management of drivers. These distractions have led fans to express concern that the team’s focus on politics may be interfering with performance and long-term stability.
Hamilton’s early-season struggles have reignited long-standing discussions about Ferrari’s inability to consistently deliver a competitive car. While Leclerc has occasionally managed to challenge for podiums or lead races, the SF-25 still lacks the all-around pace, reliability, and strategic sharpness needed to truly contend for a championship. Ferrari’s tendency to squander opportunities through pit stop errors, poor race strategy, or technical gremlins has become a recurring theme — one that no driver, even one as accomplished as Hamilton, seems able to escape.
Despite the wave of criticism, there remains hope that Hamilton can turn things around. He has built a career on resilience, often thriving under pressure and overcoming difficult situations. The 2025 season is still in its early stages, and Hamilton, along with the Ferrari engineering team, will be working hard to improve the SF-25’s setup and unlock more performance. Whether that turnaround will come quickly enough to silence his critics is another matter entirely.
As things stand, Hamilton’s debut year with Ferrari is shaping up to be one of the most scrutinized stories of the 2025 season. Unless the results begin to improve significantly, fan discontent — as reflected in the recent poll — is likely to grow louder. For now, Hamilton remains under the microscope, with the weight of expectation from both Tifosi and F1 followers across the world pressing down hard.
