Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari season in Formula 1 has faced intense scrutiny since it began in 2025, with many fans and media outlets expressing disappointment over the team’s failure to contend for the championship. This reaction stems largely from the high expectations set by Ferrari’s extensive promotion and the historic significance of Hamilton joining the Scuderia. Yet, when evaluating Hamilton Ferrari first season objectively, it’s important to consider whether such criticism is justified given the circumstances surrounding the team and driver adjustment period.
While fellow Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz encountered far less pressure when he initially joined the team, Hamilton’s transition has been magnified due to heightened fanfare. It is also worth noting that even a driver of Max Verstappen’s calibre might face similar scrutiny if unable to instantly deliver results at a new team. The reality is that securing victories and championships with Ferrari will require considerable time, a fact overlooked amid the season’s early hype.
Understanding the Challenges Hamilton Faces at Ferrari
Several influential figures within F1 have voiced more compassionate perspectives on Hamilton’s challenges in his first Ferrari season, highlighting the complexities of adapting to a new team environment. Unlike simply losing pace, Hamilton’s difficulties arise partly from adjusting to a car developed around teammate Charles Leclerc’s driving style. Leclerc, having been with Ferrari since 2019, influenced the initial design of the SF-25 car, which creates challenges for Hamilton as he works to find his own performance edge within a setup tailored for another driver.
Before taking the wheel of the Ferrari, Hamilton had never been teammates with Leclerc, making it unreasonable to expect immediate mastery of a car precisely tuned for Leclerc’s approach. Hamilton acknowledged these obstacles at the Austrian Grand Prix, emphasizing the need to adapt to a setup more closely aligned with Leclerc’s preferences.
Set-up even closer to Charles, yeah,
Hamilton said to the media after the race.
He drives a massively oversteering car. Somehow slides the rear, so it doesn’t have degradation. When I slide the rear, I get massive degradation.
—Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 driver
Hamilton also noted that Sainz himself needed substantial time to adjust to Ferrari’s car, adding:
It’s definitely something I think you have to get used to. Supposedly, it took Carlos a couple of years to get used to. I don’t want to do that.
—Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 driver
This highlights that immediate success in a new team, particularly one built around a different driver’s style, is rarely achievable. At Silverstone, Hamilton expressed a desire for the 2026 car to better reflect his own ‘DNA,’ signaling hopes for a vehicle that complements his racing characteristics more directly in the future.
Examining Ferrari’s Development and Leadership Context
Since Ferrari’s car has been designed around Leclerc’s needs for several years without producing a title-contending car, there is a growing argument that future developments should align more with Hamilton’s driving style. This approach could help unlock the team’s competitiveness moving forward.
Criticism has not only focused on Hamilton but also extended towards Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, who oversees the team’s strategic decisions. However, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently defended Vasseur, pointing to the long timeline it took for Ferrari to become a dominant force during the Jean Todt era.
Today we talked about Jean Todt. Jean Todt, if I’m not wrong, joined the [Ferrari] team in 1993 and they won the first championship in 2000. ‘93, ‘94, ‘95, ‘96, ‘97, ‘98, ‘99, 2000. Eight years. That’s how it goes, and it comes at cycles,
Wolff said in a Formula 1 interview.
This reminder underlines the patience required to rebuild a championship-winning team and the unrealistic expectations placed on Ferrari’s current leadership to deliver immediate results.
The Need for Realistic Expectations and Moving Forward
The collective disappointment surrounding Hamilton’s first Ferrari season has overshadowed the natural and demanding process of transition and team development. Fans and media alike contributed to creating unrealistic hopes, anticipating instant miracles rather than acknowledging the gradual journey necessary for success.
Criticism directed disproportionately at Hamilton and Ferrari’s management ignores the broader context of rebuilding a team capable of competing for titles once again. Applying more pressure externally will not accelerate this development or guarantee swift victories.
As 2025 unfolds, it is essential to temper expectations and offer space for Ferrari to evolve with Hamilton adapting fully to his new role. Only with patience and a thoughtful approach can the famed Italian team hope to restore its place at the front of Formula 1 competition.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Race car driver Lewis Hamilton openly supports veganism. He also invests in businesses related to plant-based products.
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton a vegan?
A. Lewis Hamilton believes he showed critics they were mistaken by thriving on a vegan diet. In 2017, he switched to being vegan even though doctors advised against it. Since this change, he has won four championships and noted that his energy has increased. Hamilton is among many professional athletes who have successfully adopted a plant-based diet.
