Hard Slap Around the Ears’ – Hamilton’s Ferrari Dream Turns Sour
Lewis Hamilton’s dream move to Ferrari is beginning to look more like a nightmare than a triumphant new chapter in his legendary Formula 1 career. The seven-time world champion has found himself outpaced and outclassed by teammate Charles Leclerc in the opening stages of the 2025 season — and former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde isn’t sugarcoating the situation.
In a revealing interview with RacingNews365, Van der Garde didn’t hold back, suggesting Hamilton has received a brutal wake-up call since arriving at the Maranello-based team. “When a driver like Hamilton makes such a high-profile move to Ferrari, you expect it to be a success,” said the Dutchman. “But let’s be honest — he’s had a real slap around the ears from his teammate. And it’s been a hard one.”
Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari was one of the most talked-about moves in recent F1 history. Fans and pundits alike hoped the move would inject fresh fire into his already illustrious career. But the early results have been underwhelming. After the first few rounds of the season, Hamilton has accumulated just 31 points, while Leclerc — who has been at Ferrari since 2019 — has already notched up 47.
Van der Garde believes the stark difference in performance isn’t just a result of unfamiliarity with the car or team. He pointed to something deeper — a potential crisis of confidence. “It’s not just about adjusting to a new environment,” he said. “Hamilton seems to be struggling mentally. That spark, that edge he used to have on the grid — it’s not there right now.”
Part of the issue, according to the former Caterham driver, is that Hamilton no longer has the psychological advantage he once enjoyed during his dominant Mercedes years. “At Mercedes, he was the main man. The entire team was built around him. At Ferrari, that’s not the case. Leclerc has earned his place there and has the full support of the team. Hamilton doesn’t have the upper hand anymore, and I think that’s hitting him harder than people expected.”
Charles Leclerc, often seen as Ferrari’s golden boy, has wasted no time asserting his authority. The Monegasque has not only outscored Hamilton but has regularly outqualified and out-raced him on Sundays. While Hamilton is still adapting to the new machinery and team dynamics, Leclerc looks more comfortable than ever — a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans and experts alike.
For Hamilton, the reality of his new role may be setting in faster than he anticipated. No longer the focal point of the garage, he must now share — or perhaps even relinquish — the spotlight to a younger, hungrier driver who knows the car, the team, and the pressure of carrying Ferrari’s hopes all too well.
Still, despite the rocky start, many believe it’s too early to write Hamilton off completely. The British star is known for his resilience and ability to bounce back. But if Van der Garde’s comments are anything to go by, Hamilton has a mountain to climb — and fast.
“This isn’t the Hamilton we’re used to seeing,” Van der Garde concluded. “He has to find his rhythm again, rediscover that confidence, and prove that he can fight back — not just for the team’s respect, but for his legacy.”
Whether Hamilton can turn things around remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the Ferrari chapter of his career is not unfolding as many predicted — and Charles Leclerc is making sure he doesn’t make it easy.
