Fernando Alonso Offers Harsh Assessment of Hamilton’s Difficult Start at Ferrari
The 2025 Formula 1 season has been anything but smooth for Lewis Hamilton, as the seven-time world champion continues to struggle in his debut year with Ferrari. Adding to the growing pressure on the British driver, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso has publicly delivered a scathing assessment of Hamilton’s impact at the Scuderia, suggesting that Hamilton’s presence may not bring the transformation Ferrari had hoped for.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming races, Alonso downplayed the significance of Hamilton’s move, arguing that even the most talented driver can only make a limited difference unless the car itself is fundamentally competitive. Alonso remarked that while Hamilton’s experience is undeniable, the true game-changer for any team is not the driver, but the technical minds behind the car’s design and performance.
Alonso’s comments come amid rising scrutiny over Ferrari’s lackluster results this season. Despite a major shake-up in their driver line-up, with Hamilton replacing Carlos Sainz
, the team has failed to find the pace to challenge Red Bull and McLaren consistently. Ferrari’s 2025 car has suffered from balance and reliability issues, leaving both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc frustrated with the machinery at their disposal.
Hamilton himself has been candid about the difficulties he is facing. After several underwhelming performances, he admitted that adapting to Ferrari’s different car philosophy has been more challenging than expected. While he remains optimistic about future improvements, results on the track have so far failed to match the high expectations that greeted his move from Mercedes.
Alonso, however, believes that Hamilton’s influence may ultimately prove limited. According to the Spaniard, a top-tier designer or technical director has far greater power to alter a team’s fortunes than even the best driver. He pointed to Aston Martin’s recent signing of renowned designer Adrian Newey as an example, suggesting that such a move could have a more transformative effect than Ferrari’s acquisition of Hamilton.
This perspective is not unique in the paddock. In recent seasons, car performance and technical innovation have increasingly dictated success in Formula 1, often outweighing driver skill. Teams with superior aerodynamic concepts, efficient power units, and innovative design solutions have dominated, regardless of their driver line-up. Alonso’s comments reflect this reality, emphasizing the importance of engineering brilliance over driving talent alone.
Meanwhile, internal tensions at Ferrari appear to be growing. Reports suggest that Charles Leclerc has voiced concerns over the team’s competitiveness, while Hamilton himself has been visibly frustrated with the car’s performance. On several occasions this season, the Briton has expressed dissatisfaction with the handling and setup of the SF-25, describing some race weekends as “terrible” and calling for urgent improvements from the technical department.
Despite the current struggles, Hamilton remains committed to the long-term project at Ferrari. He has reiterated his belief that the team can return to the top of the championship battle, but only if the right structural and technical changes are made. His comments indicate an understanding that success in modern Formula 1 requires more than just driving skill—it demands a car capable of competing on equal terms with the likes of Red Bull and McLaren.
Alonso’s remarks may sting, but they also serve as a reminder of the harsh truths in today’s Formula 1 environment. Even a driver of Hamilton’s caliber cannot single-handedly overcome deficiencies in car performance. Without a step-change in Ferrari’s technical package, podium finishes and race wins will remain elusive.
For Alonso and Aston Martin, the focus is clearly on the future. With Adrian Newey set to play a key role in their 2026 car development, the team is banking on a technical revolution to close the gap to the front-runners. Alonso has already hinted that this season may be one of transition, as efforts shift toward building a truly competitive car under the new regulations.
As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Hamilton to see whether he can adapt and help drive Ferrari forward—or if Alonso’s bleak prediction about the limits of driver influence proves true. Either way, the rivalry between these two champions—now playing out off the track as much as on it—continues to captivate the Formula 1 world.
