Valtteri Bottas Hopes to See Lewis Hamilton Regain His Spark After Ferrari Struggles
Former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas has shared words of encouragement for his ex-teammate Lewis Hamilton, expressing hope that the seven-time world champion will rediscover his best form in his second season with Ferrari. Bottas, who raced alongside Hamilton for five years at Mercedes, believes that the Briton’s struggles during his debut campaign with the Italian team are understandable, given the scale of change he has had to adapt to after leaving Mercedes.
Hamilton’s first season at Ferrari has been nothing short of challenging. The 39-year-old has yet to achieve a single podium finish in 20 Grands Prix, marking a historic low point for the Scuderia. This barren run has left Hamilton sixth in the drivers’ standings, trailing his teammate Charles Leclerc by 64 points. The move to Ferrari, once hailed as a fresh start for the Briton, has so far mirrored the tough final three seasons he endured at Mercedes under the current ground-effect car regulations introduced in 2022.
Despite the rocky start, Bottas is optimistic that things will turn around for Hamilton once he fully settles into Ferrari’s unique team culture and car setup. Speaking to RacingNews365 in an exclusive interview, Bottas emphasized how major team transitions can disrupt even the most experienced drivers. “It’s been a big change for him,” Bottas explained. “He spent such a long time [at Mercedes]. He knew how the team worked and knew all the people by heart. Then suddenly, you go to a completely different team with a new mindset, new faces, and a totally different kind of car and power unit. It’s not easy.”
Bottas, who is preparing for his return to the Formula 1 grid with Cadillac next year after serving as Mercedes’ reserve driver this season, knows firsthand how tough such transitions can be. Having moved from Williams to Mercedes, and later from Mercedes to Sauber (now Kick Sauber), the Finnish driver has experienced the steep learning curve that comes with adapting to a new environment and car philosophy.
Still, he believes that once Hamilton completes his first full season at Ferrari, things will start to fall into place. “I’d love to see him bounce back to when I’ve seen him at his best,” Bottas said. “Time will show, but I think next year will be a lot smoother for him.”
Bottas also pointed out that Hamilton’s extensive experience and disciplined approach to preparation will give him an edge heading into his second season. Having now spent a year understanding the Ferrari setup, Hamilton will be better equipped to extract more performance from the SF-25 — and from himself. “It’s so much easier starting a second year with a team,” Bottas explained. “You’ve done all the basic preparation over the last 12 months, and now it’s just about continuing from where you left off at the final race of the previous season. You have more time to process everything and fine-tune things, whether it’s about yourself, the car, or the team members. It’s way easier in year two.”
For Ferrari, next season could also mark a turning point. The 2026 Formula 1 regulations are expected to bring new power unit technologies and aerodynamic adjustments, changes that could favor Hamilton’s driving style. The Briton, known for his adaptability and technical feedback, might find himself more comfortable once Ferrari introduces its revised car package. Bottas hinted that this could be the reset Hamilton needs to reignite his competitive edge.
During their time as teammates at Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, Bottas witnessed Hamilton’s dominance firsthand. Together, they helped Mercedes secure multiple Constructors’ Championships, with Hamilton claiming four of his seven world titles during that era. The Finn often described Hamilton as a “machine” — relentless, focused, and capable of extracting the maximum from any situation. That’s the version of Hamilton Bottas hopes to see again once the Briton finds his footing at Ferrari.
The Finn concluded his remarks on an encouraging note, stressing that Hamilton’s current challenges are only temporary. “Every driver goes through ups and downs,” Bottas said. “It’s about patience, confidence, and the right environment. Once he gets fully comfortable at Ferrari, I’m sure we’ll see Lewis back fighting at the front again.”
As the 2025 Formula 1 season winds down, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see if he can turn his fortunes around. Ferrari’s development for next year, combined with Hamilton’s renowned work ethic and racing intelligence, could set the stage for a much stronger performance. For Bottas and many F1 fans, a resurgent Hamilton in red — battling once more for victories and podiums — would be a welcome sight and a reminder of the brilliance that defined his championship-winning years.
