Gian Carlo Minardi, a former Formula 1 team manager, has expressed concerns that Ferrari may be prioritizing Charles Leclerc over Lewis Hamilton amid the British driver’s ongoing challenges during the 2025 season. At the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, Leclerc started on pole and battled for victory before finishing fourth, while Hamilton qualified 12th and also finished outside the points.
This race marked the first occasion this season where Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, failed to earn points after completing the race. He had consistently scored in each of his previous 12 classified finishes, except for the Chinese Grand Prix where he was disqualified alongside his teammate, resulting in a rare points drought.
Adding to his difficulties, Hamilton missed qualifying for Q3 in Budapest, marking the fourth time this season that he did not advance to the final qualifying session, further highlighting his competitive struggles compared to Leclerc.
Hamilton’s Frustration Grows Amidst Technical and Team Challenges
Hamilton openly displayed his frustration after qualifying in 12th place, calling his own performance “useless,” while Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first pole position of 2025 with a nearly quarter-second advantage in Q2. Leclerc’s hopes of securing a win were ultimately dashed by what appeared to be a chassis-related issue, which caused him to drop back after his second pit stop on lap 40 and finish over 37 seconds behind the race leader, even before serving a five-second penalty.
Minardi sensed that Hamilton feels let down by the team, suggesting that Ferrari has not delivered on commitments made to him. The former team owner believes there is an evident focus within Ferrari on supporting Leclerc’s development and race performance rather than providing Hamilton with the backing he needs at this stage of the season.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Minardi said,
“It’s difficult to make judgments, in any case. I think Ferrari are trying to find a better direction for Leclerc right now.”
He also noted from various interviews that Hamilton is expressing dissatisfaction about promised improvements that have not materialized yet, underscoring the tension within the team.
Leclerc Extends Lead Over Hamilton in the Ferrari Driver Standings
Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton appeared to question whether his efforts are benefiting Ferrari, especially as Leclerc secured the team’s first pole of the 2025 season and mounted a fight for victory. In contrast, Hamilton struggled to advance through the field and ended the race outside the points-scoring positions. As a result, Ferrari remains winless in the races so far this season despite holding second place in the constructors‘ championship during the summer break.
Hamilton currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings with 109 points after 14 rounds, trailing his teammate Charles Leclerc by 42 points. Although Hamilton secured a notable sprint race victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, his main race results for Ferrari have mostly been modest, with his best finishes being three fourth places at Imola, Austria, and Silverstone, while excelling more in Sprint events.
Challenges Ahead for Hamilton and Ferrari
With Ferrari’s focus seemingly leaning towards enhancing Leclerc’s performance, Hamilton’s 2025 season with the Italian team faces mounting uncertainty. His lack of consistent race pace and the team’s apparent prioritization raise questions about his role within Ferrari moving forward. How the team balances support between their two drivers will be crucial in determining their competitiveness for the rest of the season.
Guy experts like Gian Carlo Minardi view the current dynamic as potentially pivotal, with Ferrari’s strategic decisions impacting both Hamilton’s confidence and overall results in the championship battle.
