Lewis Hamilton discussed the difficulties he has encountered since joining Ferrari this season, acknowledging that everyone experiences tough moments, including himself. The British driver, who left Mercedes after an impressive 12-year stint, has been grappling with the performance issues of his new car, which have impacted his results on the track.
After parting ways with the Silver Arrows—a team where he secured 84 victories and won six out of his seven world championships—Hamilton arrived at Ferrari, one of the most prestigious teams in Formula 1. Many fans and analysts anticipated that he would immediately contend for the championship wearing the iconic red colors.
Despite high hopes, Ferrari narrowly missed out on surpassing McLaren in last year’s Constructors’ Championship. Expectations were that Ferrari would be competitive enough to challenge closely with the likes of Mercedes. However, Hamilton found adapting to the new car difficult, and the reality of the situation has been less promising than anticipated.
Nevertheless, the seven-time world champion remains unfazed and refuses to settle for mediocrity. He emphasized his determination to keep pushing forward despite the setbacks. Speaking openly about his mindset, Hamilton said,
“I’m the type of person… I don’t like to get complacent and be comfortable, and that’s really kind of where I was with the long-term relationship I had before,” Hamilton said in a recent interview (via Motorsportweek)
“And taking this step into a team that I truly believe in, and I still believe in the potential here and what we can achieve together, and I think everyone in the team does. But no one succeeds without going through those tough patches, so I do welcome it, looking forward to the sunnier days for sure.”
Season Performance and Team Standings So Far
Hamilton’s season highlight to date has been his Sprint race victory at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix. Aside from this success, he has struggled to find consistent pace with his current Ferrari car. After competing in 16 races and three sprint events, Hamilton has accumulated 117 points, placing him sixth in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
His teammate Charles Leclerc currently holds fifth place with 163 points over the same number of races. Ferrari themselves occupy second place in the Constructors’ Championship, having amassed 280 points, showing that the team maintains a solid position despite individual challenges.
Hamilton’s Thoughts on Continuing His Racing Career
Looking beyond the present difficulties, Lewis Hamilton has shared his intentions regarding retirement, making it clear that he plans to continue racing for the foreseeable future. In a recent interview with French magazine L’Equipe, Hamilton confirmed his strong desire to keep competing at the highest level.
“I have no intention of stopping anytime soon,” Hamilton told French. “I really appreciate that Fernando Alonso is continuing, because it means he’s older than me. I’ll keep going until he’s 50!”
The 40-year-old British driver is racing in his 19th Formula 1 season, making Ferrari his third team since his debut. Upcoming races, including the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, will mark notable milestones in his career, with the next start slated to be his 373rd in Formula 1.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Optimism for Ferrari’s Future
While Lewis Hamilton Ferrari struggles have posed serious challenges, his determination and belief in the team’s potential are clear. Both Hamilton and Ferrari are navigating a transitional phase, enduring difficulties that accompany such changes in motorsport.
Hamilton’s experienced perspective and refusal to become complacent suggest he will continue to push for improvement. As Ferrari strives to bridge gaps with its rivals, the ongoing collaboration between the driver and the Prancing Horse team is crucial. Many are anticipating that the difficult period will eventually give way to stronger performances and renewed success for one of Formula 1’s most iconic partnerships.
