Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari in 2025 has been challenging, with the seven-time world champion facing unforeseen difficulties after switching teams. Despite efforts to secure a breakthrough, the British driver has struggled to achieve significant results during the opening ten races, highlighting the ongoing Ferrari struggles in 2025. Hamilton is focusing on long-term improvements as this season continues.
Early Challenges Mark Hamilton’s Transition to Ferrari
Hamilton’s debut campaign at Ferrari has proven to be far from smooth. Aside from a sprint race victory in China, his results have been disappointing, with a lack of consistent top finishes. The 40-year-old driver has openly discussed the unexpected complications arising from adapting to a new team environment in Maranello. These include difficulties integrating with Ferrari’s crew and a notable disagreement with his race engineer, which added to the adjustment period.
The British driver is taking a pragmatic approach to these issues, viewing this season as a learning phase. Hamilton recognizes that shifting to a new constructor always presents challenges, but the depth of problems he encountered was not entirely anticipated. Despite these setbacks, he remains committed to contributing to Ferrari’s progress from the ground up during his inaugural year with the Italian team.
“It’s definitely been an interesting season, we’ve learned a lot. I think definitely getting acclimatised to a new team is as to be expected. Of course, you can never expect the issues that you’re faced with through a season, so that’s always unexpected.”
—Lewis Hamilton, Austrian GP media day
Hamilton Sets His Sights Beyond 2025 Toward 2026
As the season unfolds, Hamilton has made it clear that his attention has shifted away from immediate gains in 2025 toward laying the groundwork for the 2026 season. With significant regulation changes on the horizon, Ferrari’s ability to adapt will be critical for future success. Hamilton expressed hope that Ferrari would capitalize on the upcoming rule shifts; meanwhile, he is concentrating on team development and structural improvements rather than short-term achievements.
“I’m focused more, I would say, on changes in the background, foundation building stuff that we need to put in place in order to have a better 2026.”
—Lewis Hamilton
Modest Expectations for Upgrades Delivered at the Austrian Grand Prix
Ferrari introduced a series of upgrades for the Austrian Grand Prix in an attempt to address performance issues and regain competitiveness. However, Hamilton tempered expectations about the impact of these modifications. While appreciative of every improvement, whether minor or major, he emphasized that these updates are unlikely to produce dramatic results immediately.
The 40-year-old is hopeful that unseen gains might materialize during the race weekend, offering a small but positive step forward. These upgrades represent Ferrari’s urgent efforts to better their position amidst a challenging season, as they aim to reestablish themselves among the top contenders.
“You always want upgrades, so I’m grateful for every little bit, whether it’s a small or big piece. What I would say is don’t expect much change. Hopefully tomorrow we’ll find something that we didn’t expect, but again, we don’t really know, so we will find out tomorrow [and] hopefully it will be a step forward in the right direction.”
—Lewis Hamilton
Current Season Standing and Ferrari’s Struggle to Regain Form
As of mid-2025, Ferrari sits third in the Constructors’ Championship, lagging behind rivals like McLaren, who have outperformed expectations this year. Hamilton and the Scuderia are acknowledging that the remainder of the 2025 season may not yield significant breakthroughs, shifting attention toward the upcoming regulatory overhaul. This pragmatic approach reflects the reality Ferrari faces in recovering from a series of setbacks that have stalled their challenge for race wins and titles.
Hamilton’s acceptance of the situation is underscored by his willingness to maximize opportunities whenever they arise, despite the general underperformance. His experience and resilience remain important assets for Ferrari as they prepare for a pivotal transitional phase in Formula 1 regulations.
The Road Ahead for Hamilton and Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was expected to bring renewed competition, but the unforeseen hurdles of 2025 have slowed progress considerably. The challenges in building rapport with the team and optimizing car performance have complicated his ability to deliver the results both he and Ferrari envisioned. Nevertheless, Hamilton’s commitment to foundational improvements indicates a longer-term strategy focused on future success rather than immediate gratification.
With rule changes looming in 2026, which many experts view as a reset for the sport, Ferrari’s adaptation to new technical regulations will be crucial. Hamilton’s focus on internal development during 2025 suggests that while short-term gains may be limited, the groundwork is being laid for a more competitive campaign next year. Fans and analysts will be closely watching how Ferrari navigates this difficult phase and whether Hamilton’s experience can catalyze a resurgence.
