Carlos Sainz explains why Lewis Hamilton is facing the same problem as Daniel Ricciardo at F… read more
Carlos Sainz has offered a candid explanation of why Lewis Hamilton is enduring a difficult first season with Ferrari in 2025 — a challenge that he believes mirrors the issues Daniel Ricciardo has experienced at multiple teams in recent years. The Spaniard, who was controversially dropped to make way for Hamilton despite outperforming Charles Leclerc in 2023, says the seven-time world champion is now discovering the brutal reality of adapting to a car that simply doesn’t suit his natural driving style.
Sainz, who remains one of the most consistent and adaptable drivers on the grid, noted in an interview that Hamilton’s current struggles at Ferrari are not surprising to him. “People forget that it takes more than talent to jump into a new team and succeed immediately,” he explained. “The car philosophy at Ferrari is very different from what Lewis had at Mercedes for over a decade. He’s learning that now, the hard way — and it reminds me a lot of what Ricciardo went through when he left Red Bull.”
Indeed, the comparison with Ricciardo is striking. The Australian famously left Red Bull at the peak of his powers in 2018, only to find himself unable to replicate that form at Renault and later at McLaren. Despite his talent, Ricciardo’s style — heavily reliant on late braking and sharp rotation — was incompatible with the car philosophies at his new teams. As a result, he quickly fell down the pecking order and struggled to regain his momentum.
According to Sainz, Hamilton may be dealing with a similar mismatch at Ferrari. “Lewis is incredibly fast, no question,” he said. “But like Daniel, he needs a car that does certain things — especially on turn-in and under braking. The Ferrari doesn’t behave like that. It’s twitchier, more unpredictable, and less compliant. It’s not what he’s used to, and when that happens, even a great driver can look average.”
The statistics back up Sainz’s view. After the first 10 races of the 2025 season, Hamilton has failed to score a podium and is consistently outqualified and outraced by Charles Leclerc. Worse still, the upgrades Ferrari rushed through in recent weeks have not solved the core handling issues, leading to frustration not just from Hamilton but from within the team’s engineering division as well.
Sainz also touched on the mental and emotional toll such a transition can take. “When you’re used to winning or fighting at the front and suddenly you’re struggling to even make Q3 or hold off midfield cars, it hits your confidence,” he said. “That’s what Daniel experienced at McLaren. You start doubting the car, then yourself, then your team. It’s a downward spiral.”
Adding another layer of complexity is the internal pressure within Ferrari. With Leclerc now firmly established as the team leader — aided by his close working relationship with team principal Fred Vasseur — Hamilton is finding it difficult to assert himself in the development direction. Unlike at Mercedes, where the team was built around his feedback, Ferrari’s setup is still largely shaped by Leclerc’s preferences, making it even harder for Hamilton to find his groove.
Ironically, Sainz’s own performances this year — reportedly on the radar of Audi and Red Bull — are strengthening the case that Ferrari may have made a premature decision in letting him go. “I have no hard feelings,” Sainz said. “But I think it’s clear now that fitting into a team and extracting performance isn’t just about raw speed. It’s about understanding the car, working with the engineers, and knowing how to adapt. That’s where Lewis is struggling now, and it’s exactly what hurt Daniel.”
As the season heads into its second half, Hamilton will need to dig deep to avoid a campaign that risks becoming the worst of his career. For now, however, Carlos Sainz’s diagnosis rings true: even the greatest drivers can flounder when the chemistry between car and driver just isn’t there.
