Former Formula 1 driver Nick Heidfeld has pointed out noticeable differences in Lewis Hamilton’s performance now compared to five or ten years ago. Speaking about Hamilton’s challenging start at Ferrari, Heidfeld attributes some of these struggles to the British driver’s age, with Hamilton having turned 40 just before joining the Italian team. He acknowledges that this perspective is something
some people don’t like to hear
.
Hamilton’s Early Ferrari Career Shows Mixed Results Against Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season was intended to inject new life into his distinguished F1 career after years at Mercedes. However, his adaptation to the Scuderia has been slow, with few standout moments beyond his first victory in the China Sprint race. Performance-wise, Hamilton has only beaten his teammate Charles Leclerc once in a race finish, while Leclerc holds a 7-1 advantage in qualifying head-to-head bouts.
Hamilton’s team communication with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, also seems to be a work in progress, with some unresolved issues over team radio exchanges. In an interview with F1-Insider, Heidfeld reflected on the challenges Hamilton faces at Ferrari, noting his age and drawing attention to visible performance shifts:
If the car suits him, he can still perform at his best. You saw it in China,
Heidfeld said regarding Hamilton’s ability.
Despite this, Heidfeld believes Hamilton is currently not matching Leclerc’s pace, particularly during qualifying sessions, adding:
And of course, even if some people don’t like to hear that now: He’s no longer the youngest. If you compare him with Hamilton five or ten years ago, you can see the differences.
Current Season Head-to-Head Between Hamilton and Leclerc
The 2025 season’s head-to-head statistics reveal a clear edge for Leclerc in qualifying, with Hamilton struggling to keep pace. Leclerc has consistently secured higher grid positions and race finishes, a trend that has put pressure on Hamilton to adapt more quickly to Ferrari’s machinery and team dynamics.
During this discussion, Heidfeld was also asked whether Hamilton’s situation at Ferrari bears resemblance to Michael Schumacher’s later years at Mercedes. Schumacher, a seven-time World Champion and a Ferrari legend, returned from retirement to race for Mercedes from 2010 to 2012 but struggled significantly despite his past success.
Heidfeld dismissed the comparison to Schumacher’s comeback, noting:
Michael was out for several years, whereas Lewis drove through.
He went on to say that changing teams after many years is difficult, especially with advancing age, emphasizing:
And the older you get, the harder it is to make a fresh start.
Hamilton’s Recent Race Performances Show Signs of Progress and Challenges
Hamilton’s best result this season so far was a fourth-place finish at the Imola Grand Prix. Ahead of Monaco, he expressed optimism about ongoing improvements but admitted that recent performances have been uneven. Following the Monaco round, Hamilton qualified fourth but started seventh due to a grid penalty and finished the race in fifth place.
Reflecting on the weekend, he told reporters:
Last week was good, this week’s not been so great, as you can see,
Hamilton said.
He added:
But performance-wise, qualifying fourth was not bad. I’m hoping for a better race weekend next week.
Upcoming Spanish Grand Prix Features New FIA Technical Rules
The next race on the calendar, the Spanish Grand Prix, is expected to bring additional challenges and opportunities for Hamilton and Ferrari. This event will mark the introduction of a new FIA Technical Directive enforcing stricter front wing flexibility tests, which could influence car performance and team strategies. The rule change is of particular interest as teams prepare to optimize their cars under these updated regulations.
Implications for Hamilton and Ferrari’s Future
Lewis Hamilton’s performance differences at Ferrari highlight the complex factors affecting a driver transitioning to a new team later in their career. While his age and need to adapt to new machinery present challenges, his experience and talent mean he still has potential to produce strong results if the Ferrari car suits his style. Observers like Nick Heidfeld suggest that while this season has been tough, there may yet be expected growth as Hamilton and his team find better harmony. The new technical rules and upcoming races will be key testing grounds for this evolution.
