Johnny Herbert ‘Disappointed’ by Hamilton’s Struggles in … Read more
Formula One analyst Johnny Herbert has admitted he’s been left underwhelmed by Lewis Hamilton’s performance since joining Ferrari.
The sevens time world champion has found it difficult to match teammate Charles Leclerc in the early stages of the 2025 season.
Although Hamilton claimed victory in the Sprint Race at the Chinese Grand Prix, his overall form has lagged behind Leclerc’s. The 40-year-old has been outpaced in every full race so far this season, including the Chinese Grand Prix where he was later disqualified for excessive plank wear.
Herbert believes Hamilton has yet to deliver the level of dominance expected from a driver of his caliber.
Speaking to SambaSlots, Herbert shared his thoughts: “I wouldn’t say Lewis has become a number two just yet, but Charles Leclerc has a real knack for establishing himself within a team. When he partnered with Sebastian Vettel, he managed to take control of that environment and he’s doing something similar now.
“It’s not that Lewis can’t be beaten, but it is surprising he hasn’t asserted himself more. I expected closer battles between the two, but in race conditions, there’s been a noticeable gap.
Maybe he’s hit a performance ceiling, and the car just isn’t letting him break through that.”
Herbert added that he still hopes Ferrari’s upcoming upgrades—specifically a new floor for the SF-25—will help Hamilton find better form. Hamilton has hinted at internal disagreements within the team regarding the timing of the upgrade, which may be contributing to his current struggles.
“I thought we’d see more from Lewis, given everything he’s achieved in his career,” Herbert continued. “But at the same time, you have to give credit to Charles—he’s driving better than ever.”
As Ferrari works to bring updates to their 2025 challenger, the focus remains on whether Hamilton can close the performance gap and begin challenging Leclerc more consistently as the season progresses.
