Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari in 2025 has been marked by considerable challenges, with only one sprint race victory in China and no podium finishes in main races during the first 12 events. Though the 40-year-old seven-time World Champion appears to be adjusting his focus toward the new 2026 regulations, his former Mercedes teammate and current Williams team principal, James Vowles, remains confident about Hamilton’s potential to rebound.
Hamilton has openly acknowledged the difficulties he has faced at Ferrari, admitting that he misses Mercedes while working to rebuild his form within the Scuderia. Despite underperforming relative to expectations, Hamilton aims to leverage the upcoming regulation changes to reestablish himself as a top contender. Vowles, observing Hamilton’s situation, emphasizes that the Briton still possesses the ability to return to race-winning speed once the car suits his driving style.
Elements Needed for Hamilton to Regain Winning Form, According to Vowles
James Vowles highlighted that Lewis Hamilton requires specific characteristics in his car to feel a sense of strength and confidence. Until the Ferrari meets these criteria, Hamilton’s performance will remain below his usual standards. Vowles underscored that the current slump is understandable given these conditions, but strongly believes Hamilton will soon recover his competitive pace and consistently fight for victories.
“Lewis has some elements he needs from a car to feel strength from it, and then it’s a confidence build from him he is able to generate from then onwards, And I can see it in what’s going on. He hasn’t quite got that yet. But I have zero doubt that he will be on the pace and there.”
—James Vowles, Williams Team Principal
Vowles also noted that, despite recent struggles, Hamilton’s performance gap with teammate Charles Leclerc remains relatively narrow, with just a 13-point difference favoring Leclerc. Several moments this season have shown Hamilton channeling the confidence needed to push close to the Monegasque driver on the grid.
“You can see at times where he is confident, he and Charles are like this [close].”
—James Vowles
Racing Challenges and Inconsistency Mark Hamilton’s Ferrari Tenure
When Lewis Hamilton joined Ferrari, hopes were high that he would contend for the championship. However, midway through the 2025 season, he still struggles to secure podium finishes and regularly falls short against Charles Leclerc. James Vowles has pointed out the inconsistency in Hamilton’s recent performance, emphasizing that while the British driver displays strong moments, they are not yet sustained across all race weekends.
Vowles cited the Miami Grand Prix as a notable example of Hamilton pushing Leclerc aggressively, despite a frustrating race result and team strategy issues that left Hamilton vocal over the radio. This race highlighted Hamilton’s determination despite ongoing challenges with car setup and performance.
“Miami is a good example. He was pushing Charles ahead of him. He’s just not consistently there, weekend on weekend.”
—James Vowles
Ferrari’s overall form this season has been underwhelming, and Hamilton has made the most of limited opportunities. Although fighting for the 2025 drivers’ championship looks unlikely, Hamilton remains committed to improving and aims to climb the standings in the latter half of the year.
Outlook for Hamilton and Ferrari as 2025 Progresses
The significance of Hamilton’s struggles extends beyond this season, as both he and Ferrari prepare for the upcoming technical changes in 2026. These new regulations could offer Hamilton the chance to reset and return to his winning ways if car development aligns with his driving preferences. James Vowles’ assessment suggests that while this season has been difficult, it is far from a permanent decline.
With Hamilton’s talent and determination combined with improved car characteristics, a resurgence at Ferrari remains a realistic prospect. Fans and analysts will watch closely as the 2025 season unfolds and the team adapts to challenges, hopeful that Hamilton’s pace and confidence will soon match his proven capabilities.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Lewis Hamilton, a Formula 1 driver, openly shares his passion for veganism. Additionally, he invests in plant-based ventures.
