Lewis Hamilton’s difficult 2025 Formula 1 campaign showed more of its challenges at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, where the seven-time World Champion crashed his Ferrari at the Hugenholtz corner. Despite this setback, there are indications that his adaptation difficulties with Ferrari could gradually improve as the season progresses.
An Isolated Incident in a Complex Season
The crash Hamilton suffered at Zandvoort is just a single episode in what has been a turbulent first year with Ferrari, reflecting broader struggles rather than defining his overall performance. This season was designed to allow Hamilton ample time to integrate within Ferrari’s setup, familiarize himself with their different car philosophy, and leverage his vast Mercedes experience to help build a title-contending team again.
Immediate success wasn’t necessarily expected, especially given the distinct challenges posed by the new ground-effect car regulations that require drivers to adjust their style significantly. Drivers such as Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon have experienced their own tough campaigns adapting to the car’s peculiarities, while younger drivers like Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto also highlight the adjustment difficulties inherent in current machinery.
Hamilton’s slower-than-expected pace of settling in seems to contrast with his reputation, and his subdued demeanor suggests that he underestimated how hard the transition would be. This also raises questions about whether his previous season at Mercedes was merely a call for a fresh start or indicative of deeper issues.
Evaluating Hamilton’s impact on track relative to his substantial salary has sparked some criticism, with Ferrari possibly feeling shortchanged in terms of immediate results. Such pressures can exacerbate frustration, especially within a team not typically known for patience during performance dips.
The Weight of Internal and External Pressure on Ferrari’s Key Figures
Ferrari, as always, faces intense scrutiny both from the media and within its own ranks. The team has historically reacted quickly, sometimes impulsively, to challenging periods. This was apparent when team principal Fred Vasseur’s position came under threat amid speculation that alternatives like Christian Horner were being considered due to perceived regression in Ferrari’s competitiveness linked to design changes over the winter.
Vasseur, who secured Hamilton’s signature—a move widely praised throughout 2024—was even rumored to be vulnerable partly because Hamilton had yet to find his rhythm with the team. However, Vasseur’s contract renewal quelled much of this speculation, shifting the spotlight toward Hamilton’s performance instead.
Midway through the 2025 season, Charles Leclerc has consistently outperformed Hamilton, culminating in a disappointing 12th-place finish for Hamilton in Hungary while Leclerc managed fourth despite setbacks. Such results have intensified the pressure on Hamilton.
At Zandvoort, Hamilton appeared withdrawn and cautious during his media interactions, anticipating criticism as he faced journalists. Nonetheless, the questioning was respectful, focused on addressing the challenges he’s confronting rather than piling on negativity.
Hamilton openly acknowledged the difficulty of the season’s first half, revealing he was undergoing a mental reset after a brief break. He expressed a renewed ambition to regain the enjoyment that initially drew him to racing.
“I think that’s probably the most important part, because that’s the reason I got into this sport. It was fun for me,”
—Lewis Hamilton, F1 Driver
“For anyone, in any career you’re in, if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, then why are you doing it? There can often be so much noise, you can lose sight of what’s important. I just really want to focus on getting back to that enjoyment. I’ve joined the team I’ve always dreamed of driving for, and there’s been so much noise around that it’s kind of clouded us from getting to enjoy it.”
—Lewis Hamilton, F1 Driver
“Now it’s about moving those things aside and getting back to focusing on the pure love of what we do.”
—Lewis Hamilton, F1 Driver
Positive Signs Emerging Despite On-Track Setbacks
Hamilton’s precarious weekend at the Dutch GP began with two spins during Friday practice sessions, contributing to what Fred Vasseur called one of Ferrari’s worst Fridays in recent memory. However, intensive work overnight helped Hamilton rebound in qualifying, placing him less than half a tenth of a second behind Leclerc and securing a midfield top-10 position for both.
During the race’s first 22 laps, Hamilton matched Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell, circling the track within three seconds of each other. But Hamilton’s error shortly after Leclerc’s pit stop precipitated his crash, also negatively impacting Leclerc’s race strategy as other competitors took advantage of the safety car period.
This mistake has fueled debate about Hamilton’s current form and the wisdom of his move to Ferrari, but it would be premature to dismiss his ongoing potential. Moments like the Chinese Sprint race demonstrated flashes of the skill and speed that once defined him, though accessing that level consistently has become more challenging.
While this season has been difficult, Hamilton’s long track record of excellence grants him some leeway as he adjusts to new cars and team dynamics. The upcoming 2026 regulations will introduce a full reset that could level the playing field within the Ferrari team and possibly alleviate the disadvantages Hamilton has experienced in this ground-effect era.
Should he continue struggling, there is a real risk Ferrari could lose faith, potentially leading to an ignominious end to a celebrated career. Alternatively, Hamilton may face the personal reckoning that his peak performance years are behind him, which could affect his confidence and driving style.
However, this moment has not yet arrived. Premature panic mid-season does no favor to driver or team, but neither does complacency. Hamilton’s financial security might tempt him to downplay results, but to his credit, he remains self-critical and visibly sensitive to his performance levels.
This humility has helped maintain the support of Ferrari fans and leadership, as Hamilton openly credits himself for his shortcomings rather than blaming external factors. Vasseur has even noted that Hamilton’s emotional responses can sometimes be exaggerated, potentially worsening pressure, but this self-awareness bodes well for his resilience moving forward.
Ongoing Battles Within Ferrari’s Lineup
Throughout 2025, Hamilton has been engaged in a tight rivalry with teammate Charles Leclerc. Their head-to-head statistics, both in qualifying and races, reveal a consistent challenge for Hamilton as he adapts to his new environment and tries to match Leclerc’s pace.
Reasons to Remain Optimistic About Hamilton’s Future
Insiders during the Dutch GP weekend conveyed that Ferrari is still awaiting a significant breakthrough from Hamilton but shows patience, especially under a team principal who has weathered similar pressures. Despite a tough weekend capped off by a crash, Hamilton’s demeanor during media interviews was surprisingly optimistic.
He acknowledged the painful experience but underscored the progress he felt mentally and professionally, which was clear to observers familiar with his typically transparent emotions.
Fred Vasseur echoed this sentiment, noting a positive initial reaction and restored confidence in Hamilton’s approach to the weekend.
“It’s largely a matter of results, and the confidence and pace and the fact that you are in the game,”
—Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal
“Honestly, Lewis had the perception today was much better, even if the outcome is not. He was able to fight and keep up and race – for himself, I think it’s good and it’s like this that he will enjoy.”
—Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal
Though a crash littered the track with debris, the combination of Hamilton’s effort and Ferrari’s determination signals an end to the hardest adjustment phase. Both the team and Hamilton can cautiously look forward to improved performances as they continue working together.
