Since Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Scuderia Ferrari in 2025, his difficulties have attracted widespread attention, sparking analysis on the root causes of his challenges. Juan Pablo Montoya suggests that the core issue stems from a clash between Hamilton and the team’s engineers rather than the driver himself.
Hamilton’s performance so far this season highlights this tension, with only a single victory and one podium from sprint events, indicating a more difficult transition than expected for both driver and team. Using the keyword Lewis Hamilton Ferrari engineering clash, it is clear this friction has been central to the struggles.
Contrast Between Hamilton and Leclerc’s 2025 Results
While Hamilton has faced issues adapting, teammate Charles Leclerc has consistently achieved better results, securing five podium finishes in traditional Grand Prix races. This disparity has led to speculation about whether Hamilton is struggling to adjust or if the team dynamics are flawed.
However, experts like Montoya caution against oversimplifying the problem as merely a loss of driving skill on Hamilton’s part. Instead, they point to technical disagreements within the team as a major contributing factor.
Montoya’s View on Ferrari’s Engineering Approach and Driver Adjustment
Speaking on the MontoyoAS show broadcast by AS Colombia, Montoya elaborated on the situation, emphasizing that Ferrari’s current issues involve more than contractual choices. He compared Hamilton’s initial difficulties to Carlos Sainz Jr.’s first year with Ferrari, which was also marked by underwhelming results that improved with time.
“If you look at Carlos’s first year at Ferrari, it wasn’t good,” Montoya said.
Montoya noted that patience is vital for both drivers and team personnel, as adapting to new cars and team environments takes time. He explained:
“So you need patience. It’s not easy.” Montoya added that Hamilton’s long-established driving style clashes with the directions suggested by Ferrari’s engineers, contributing to his ongoing struggles.
“Hamilton has been driving a certain way for many years, and it works,” Montoya observed, before noting,
“But that car isn’t exactly good either.”
Technical Flaws in Ferrari’s SF-25 Impact Performance
The Ferrari SF-25, introduced this season, has presented consistent challenges for both drivers, with particular issues stemming from its suspension design. A mid-season adjustment that raised the ride height in response to disqualification over excessive plank wear at the Chinese Grand Prix has made the car’s handling more unstable and unpredictable.
Leclerc’s comparative success may be partly due to his increasing familiarity with Ferrari’s internal systems, giving him an advantage amid the technical difficulties. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s ability to perform on less dominant machinery was previously evident during his 2024 season with Mercedes but has been harder to demonstrate this year.
Future Outlook and Potential Changes Ahead
Hamilton appears to be looking ahead to the 2026 regulations overhaul, hoping that the new rules will shake up the current landscape and offer a fresh start to regain competitiveness on an even footing. The ongoing Lewis Hamilton Ferrari engineering clash remains a significant hurdle, but changes may open new opportunities.
