is Lewis Hamilton turning into an issue for Ferrari?

June 8, 2025

2

Charles Leclerc is again on the rostrum, this time on the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona, and turns into the one non-McLaren driver to get a number of podiums over the triple-header in Imola, Monaco and Spain. Ferrari lastly climbs again to second place within the Constructors’ Championship, the automotive exhibits some timid indicators of awakening, and the followers aren’t as bitter as Inter’s supporters after the beating in Munich.

However all of the sudden the “Lewis Hamilton case” explodes. The seven-time System 1 world champion, employed by Maranello to revive the workforce and supply path for the years forward, is popping out to be a poor copy of what President John Elkann and the opposite executives had anticipated. We’re not those saying it, Lewis Hamilton himself did so after the Barcelona race, during which he completed sixth with out ever being in competition for the rostrum regardless of ranging from fourth place, succumbing to unhappiness in entrance of Sky UK’s microphones. His actual phrases had been the next: “It was a foul day, it was horrible, I don’t know what to say, it’s in all probability simply my fault.” Briefly, a give up.

Let’s be clear: Lewis Hamilton is an effective individual in addition to an important champion. He accepted Ferrari’s problem not for advertising causes, as some wish to imagine, however as a result of he was satisfied he nonetheless had nice playing cards to play, positive he might turn out to be a key participant once more, assured he might win. As a substitute, other than the spark through the Dash race in China, he has solely encountered disappointment.

And somewhat than fading, this disappointment continues, dragging him right into a vicious cycle from which it appears he can’t escape.

Compared to Charles Leclerc, he has persistently misplaced out when it comes to each velocity and technique. Often, misunderstandings with the Ferrari pit wall have surfaced—regardless that it’s staffed by top-tier professionals, beginning with engineer Riccardo Adami, who manages his automotive. However essentially, Lewis Hamilton is just not comfy with the SF-25 single-seater. The Briton can’t drive it the way in which he desires, in contrast to Charles Leclerc, who at all times manages to adapt to the Ferrari’s limitations, maybe as a result of he’s used to compensating for years of shortcomings and struggling.

And what about Ferrari? Within the first 9 races of the 2025 System 1 championship, it has not been aggressive, and the same old guarantees about upcoming aerodynamic upgrades that may (possibly) enhance efficiency have resurfaced. This rhetoric does nothing to assist Lewis Hamilton’s frustration, his straightforwardness, or his want for clear solutions. His phrases convey concern and even self-doubt, as a result of the comparability with Charles Leclerc’s lap instances is relentless, elevating the query of whether or not it’s even potential for the seven-time System 1 world champion to compete on equal phrases together with his Maranello teammate.

We’re much less uncertain than Lewis Hamilton, maybe as a result of we benefit from distance. In our view, when Ferrari offers him a aggressive automotive, the British driver will be capable of strike again, scare his rivals, and struggle the place he deserves.

It could be true that the SF-25 doesn’t swimsuit his driving type, however it’s equally true that nice champions, particularly these of a sure age, are inclined to carry out solely after they have a automotive able to profitable. Examples abound.

What issues is that Ferrari should act quick to “save Personal Lewis,” as a result of he’s an funding that can’t and should not fail, even when, on the time of his transfer from Mercedes to Maranello, some inside the workforce had been already skeptical. Lewis Hamilton must recuperate his morale, spirit, and enthusiasm, assuming he has even managed to know (and we’ve no info on this) the Ferrari mindset, the Italian mind-set, and the uniquely Maranello logic, which is usually elusive and convoluted, particularly for an Englishman.

Surrounded by consideration and generally diverted by the style world, are we positive Lewis Hamilton has understood Ferrari and that Ferrari has understood him? That’s the actual subject. Alongside one essential query: are we sure that the British driver, after this troubled begin, is really able to face 2026—a season that, as of now and this is applicable to everybody, to be honest, presents no ensures?

Now we have limitless respect for Lewis Hamilton; few drivers match his mental depth and analytical abilities. He should discover inside himself the vitality to endure these difficulties. However Ferrari should additionally do its half technically, by abandoning the flawed selections that led to this troublesome begin. In the event that they enhance collectively, we’ll see the true Lewis Hamilton once more. If not, Ferrari will face yet one more rebuild, and Lewis Hamilton will probably be left with the remorse of getting thrown away what ought to have been the triumphant finale to a rare profession. However there may be nonetheless time—earlier than anybody, together with us, attracts hasty conclusions.