Hamilton ‘disappointment’ at Ferrari expressed as major…..read more
Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has not gone as planned, with the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion facing mounting criticism for his underwhelming performance during the early stages of the 2025 season. Since officially joining the Italian team in January, expectations were sky-high for Hamilton to help return Ferrari to the forefront of Formula 1 competition. However, things have not panned out positively so far.
According to a former Formula 1 driver, Hamilton has been branded a “disappointment” due to his inability to make a meaningful impact at Ferrari. His current position in the drivers’ standings—seventh overall—is a far cry from what many had anticipated when the announcement of his switch from Mercedes was made. Even more concerning is the fact that he is being outperformed by his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, who currently sits two places ahead of him in the standings.
Both Ferrari drivers are battling issues with the SF-25, the car that was supposed to be a step forward in Ferrari’s development. Unfortunately, the car has suffered from a significant lack of pace compared to its rivals. Ferrari has slipped to fourth place in the constructors’ championship, highlighting a regression in performance from the previous season. In 2024, Ferrari finished just 11 points away from winning the constructors’ title, but this year, they appear to be well off the pace.
The struggles of the SF-25 are not exclusive to Hamilton; Leclerc has also been vocal about the challenges the team faces with the car’s performance. However, the scrutiny is particularly sharp on Hamilton due to his pedigree and the expectations surrounding his high-profile move. The statistics further amplify the concerns—Hamilton has been outqualified by Leclerc in five of the six main race qualifying sessions this season. That qualifying gap reflects not just the car’s shortcomings, but also Hamilton’s ongoing struggle to find comfort and competitiveness in his new environment.
Adding to his woes is the fact that Hamilton has only managed to secure a single top-five finish in a Grand Prix so far this season. For a driver of his caliber, who has consistently fought for wins and podiums throughout his career, such results are viewed as a substantial underachievement.
This situation has led to questions about Ferrari’s ability to integrate Hamilton effectively into their system and whether the team’s technical development is aligned with his driving style. Moreover, some critics have begun to question whether Hamilton’s best days are behind him or if he simply needs more time to adapt to a completely new team culture and engineering philosophy.
In summary, Hamilton’s stint with Ferrari has not delivered the expected revival of the team’s fortunes. While some of the blame lies with the underperforming SF-25, his personal form has also come under the spotlight. As the season progresses, the pressure will continue to mount on both Hamilton and Ferrari to turn things around quickly before the gap to the leading teams becomes insurmountable. The hope remains that with updates to the car and improved team synergy, Hamilton can begin to show the form that made him one of the sport’s greatest champions.
