When Lewis Hamilton joined Scuderia Ferrari in 2025, the move surprised many in the motorsport world. The seven-time world champion aimed to end the Italian team’s long championship drought, but his debut season with Ferrari has fallen well short of expectations. Hamilton’s struggles have been closely watched amid ongoing concerns about the team’s performance and his adjustment to a new environment.
This year, the 40-year-old Hamilton has yet to achieve a podium finish or a Grand Prix victory, though he did secure a win in the Sprint race in China. Despite his determination, Hamilton has expressed growing frustration with the situation at Maranello, acknowledging that significant changes are needed within the team to improve results and competitiveness.
Damon Hill Highlights Pressure and Challenges Hamilton Faces
Former Formula 1 champion Damon Hill gave insight into the immense pressure Hamilton carries during this difficult period. Hill noted that the burden of expectations from millions of fans, combined with Hamilton’s own drive to succeed, has weighed heavily on the driver. Even as an experienced veteran, Hamilton’s struggles in qualifying sessions have intensified the difficulties he is facing this season.
“He feels a lot of weight on his shoulders. He’s 40 years old and a seven-time world champion, but you still feel him giving his all. It’s terribly difficult when you’ve had a bad qualifying and you have all this responsibility on your shoulders. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have. That’s tough.”
—Damon Hill said on Chequered Flag podcast
Hill emphasized that regardless of experience, carrying such responsibility while enduring poor qualifying results can be extremely tough and affect overall performance, a reality that Hamilton is clearly experiencing.
Adapting to Ferrari’s Complex Environment Proves Difficult
Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has been hampered not only by performance issues but also by the challenge of adapting to a new team environment. Unlike his time at Mercedes, where he spent more than a decade, Hamilton has had to familiarize himself with different car controls and operational procedures that clash with what he was accustomed to in Brackley.
Damon Hill outlined how these technical and cultural shifts have added to Hamilton’s struggles. Ferrari’s car features switches in unfamiliar locations, distinct brake behavior, and car feedback that requires a different approach. Additionally, the language barrier—Italian being commonly spoken in the team—adds another layer of complexity for Hamilton.
“You can understand that people think that, if you’re fast, you can just jump in the saddle and go, but these cars are very complicated. When you spent ten years at Mercedes doing things a certain way, it takes a lot to get out of that way of thinking. All switches are in a different place. The way the brakes work, the sensations the car transmits, all these things are foreign to you, in addition to the fact that many people speak Italian, which he doesn’t know.”
—Damon Hill explained
Looking Ahead: The Path Forward for Hamilton and Ferrari
At present, Lewis Hamilton’s ambitions to win races with Ferrari remain unfulfilled as he continues to face setbacks throughout the 2025 season. However, significant regulatory changes planned for 2026 offer an important opportunity for both Hamilton and Scuderia Ferrari to regroup and challenge for top honors once again.
The upcoming rule change could help Ferrari develop a more competitive package and allow Hamilton to leverage his vast experience more effectively. Until then, Hamilton will likely focus on incremental improvements to salvage progress in the remainder of this demanding season, as fans and analysts watch closely to see if the seven-time world champion can overcome these early difficulties and restore Ferrari’s winning tradition.
