The highly anticipated partnership between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari appears to be facing significant challenges, according to reports from Italy. The British driver’s decision to join the iconic Italian team last year was seen as a match made in motorsport heaven, with the potential for immense success on and off the track.
However, just six races into the 2025 season, deep cracks are beginning to show in the relationship between Hamilton and Ferrari. The Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that the dream marriage is heading for a potential crisis, citing Hamilton’s frustration and annoyance with the team’s strategy during the Miami Grand Prix.
The tension between Hamilton and Ferrari was palpable during the Miami Grand Prix, where he struggled to hide his fury at the team’s pit wall. The British driver was heard saying “why don’t you have a tea break” while waiting for a decision on whether his teammate Charles Leclerc should move aside and let him through.
Hamilton’s frustration boiled over on the radio, and his eventual eighth-place finish was a far cry from the success that was expected from the partnership. With only 41 points in the Drivers’ Championship standings, Hamilton trails the leader, Oscar Piastri, by a massive 90 points.
Ferrari’s performance has also been underwhelming, with the team sitting fourth in the Constructors’ standings, a staggering 152 points behind the team in first place. The Italian media has been quick to react, with Gazzetta dello Sport leading the charge with a bleak headline that suggests the partnership is on the brink of crisis.
The report highlights the challenges that Ferrari faces in managing the expectations of its new driver, who is struggling to adapt to the new single-seater. Hamilton’s frustration is not just limited to the team’s strategy but also reflects a deeper malaise within the team.
The delay in ordering Leclerc to let Hamilton pass was a critical moment that highlights the team’s struggles in managing its drivers. The unsuccessful exchange of positions and subsequent “backtracking” made both drivers nervous, and the episode could have been avoided if the pit wall had acted more quickly.
While the partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari has been a marketing coup, with the champion attracting new sponsors and increasing the value of the Ferrari brand, the lack of sporting results could quickly turn this into a liability. Ferrari now finds itself faced with a complex management challenge, balancing the needs of an established champion who is struggling to adapt with those of a young driver who represents the present and future of the team.
As F1 heads to Imola next week, the pressure on Ferrari will only intensify. The team will be racing in its own backyard, and the stakes could not be higher. While there is still time for the team to turn its fortunes around, the jury is very much out on whether the partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari will be a success.
The new regulations that will be enforced at the start of June could provide an opportunity for Ferrari to regroup and refocus, but for now, the team is facing a significant challenge. Bringinging in a driver of Hamilton’s caliber comes with enormous expectations, both from the driver himself and from the fans.
If these expectations are not met, the backlash could be devastating. Will the partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari be an epochal failure, or will it mark the start of a legendary comeback? Only time will tell, but for now, the signs are not promising.
The reaction from the Italian media has been predictably brutal, with many questioning whether the partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari was a masterstroke or a mistake. While the champion has undoubtedly brought new sponsors and increased brand value to Ferrari, the lack of sporting results is a major concern.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Ferrari responds to the challenges it faces. Will the team be able to turn its fortunes around and deliver the success that is expected of it, or will the partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari end in disaster? The stakes are high, and the pressure is on.
In conclusion, the partnership between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari is facing significant challenges, both on and off the track. While the team’s marketing efforts have been successful, the lack of sporting results is a major concern.
As F1 heads to Imola next week, the pressure on Ferrari will only intensify. The team will need to regroup and refocus if it is to deliver the success that is expected of it. The jury is very much out on whether the partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari will be a success, but one thing is certain – the stakes are high, and the pressure is on.
