Lewis Hamilton Ferrari debut struggles dominated his first Formula 1 season with the Italian team, as he faced major difficulties adapting to new surroundings and failed to secure a single podium finish in 2025. Despite high hopes for race wins and a potential championship bid, a challenging year left the seven-time world champion well behind both his Ferrari teammate and his main rivals in the standings.
A Season of Setbacks and Missed Opportunities
Expectations were high at the start of Hamilton’s stint with Ferrari, but the campaign quickly fell short as podiums and victories slipped from his grasp. The only bright spot came early in the season with a sprint race victory in China, a result that ultimately stood out as an exception amid continued struggles. By the season’s end, Hamilton finished 86 points adrift of his teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured seven podiums, while Hamilton failed to finish in the top three even once.
The 2025 driver standings highlighted the gap: Lando Norris led with 423 points for McLaren, followed closely by Max Verstappen for Red Bull at 421, and Oscar Piastri for McLaren at 410. George Russell took 319 points for Mercedes, Charles Leclerc earned 242 for Ferrari, and Hamilton lagged behind with just 156 points.
Off-Track Challenges Intensify Difficulties
Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari involved not only adapting to a new car but also integrating into Italian culture, a process he found challenging due to language barriers and different team dynamics. Though he made strides throughout the year, these cultural adjustments remained a hurdle to full acclimatization. Difficulties extended beyond the track as well, with the death of his beloved dog Roscoe dealing a personal blow and adding emotional weight to an already trying season.
Complicating matters further was Hamilton’s working relationship with race engineer Riccardo Adami. Their differing approaches and occasional disagreements seemed to hinder cohesive teamwork during the racing calendar, contributing to a lack of strong results for Hamilton and adding another layer to his challenging debut year at Ferrari.
A Glimmer of Optimism Looking Ahead
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton appears philosophical about his first season with Ferrari, acknowledging several factors that impacted his performance. On the occasion of his 41st birthday, he offered a hint of optimism for the future:
“I’m conscious that we’re entering the Year of the Horse and leaving behind the Year of the Snake.”
– Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 Driver
This comment referenced the Chinese New Year rather than a personal metaphor, but it served as a symbolic indication that Hamilton sees a turning point on the horizon. He has reflected on his trials, and the end-of-year break seems to have offered him not just rest but renewed motivation.
Looking to 2026 for Redemption
With one tumultuous season at Ferrari behind him, Hamilton faces the upcoming 2026 campaign with a deeper understanding of his environment, more familiarity with Italian racing culture, and the hope for a period free from personal tragedies. With no need for another major transition—as he now has a year with Ferrari under his belt—Hamilton and the team aim to extract improved performance from both machine and driver. Fans and analysts alike will closely watch whether he can transform these experiences into a positive outcome and return to contending for wins and podiums.
As the F1 world looks ahead, Hamilton’s resilience and the lessons learned from his Ferrari debut ensure that his pursuit of further records and a new chapter of success remain firmly in focus.
