Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has been difficult, with the seven-time World Champion failing to secure a podium finish in his first 14 races since switching from Mercedes. This challenging start to 2025 has sparked suggestions that Hamilton could benefit from seeking guidance from former Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, who experienced similar struggles during his time at the Scuderia.
At the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton’s difficulties were highlighted when he qualified only 12th, while teammate Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first pole position of the season. Hamilton appeared visibly frustrated, even describing himself as “useless,” and hinted that the team might consider a driver change.
Insight into Hamilton’s internal battles and team dynamics
Hamilton also hinted at ongoing issues within Ferrari’s organization, noting:
There’s a lot going on in the background that’s not great.
—Lewis Hamilton, Driver
Such comments indicate deeper challenges behind the scenes at Maranello, complicating Hamilton’s efforts to deliver strong performances. Hamilton’s struggles bear resemblance to those of Sebastian Vettel, who was edged out by Leclerc between 2019 and 2020 before departing Ferrari at the end of 2020.
Former Ferrari mechanic Francesco Cigarini believes Hamilton is being pressured in a similar fashion to Vettel. Cigarini explained that Leclerc prefers a car setup with a very free rear end, requiring a fine touch to handle. When Vettel tried to mimic this, he faltered significantly, appearing inexperienced in comparison.
Commenting on Hamilton, Cigarini said:
I think that’s exactly what’s happening with Hamilton now.
—Francesco Cigarini, Former Ferrari Mechanic
Potential for Vettel’s experience to help Hamilton recover form
Cigarini suggested that Hamilton could reach out to Vettel for valuable advice to navigate the current difficulties with Ferrari. He stated:
I wouldn’t be surprised if Hamilton calls Vettel to try to wriggle out of this.
—Francesco Cigarini, Former Ferrari Mechanic
Despite perceptions that Hamilton might be emulating Leclerc’s setup, reports from Italian media reveal that Hamilton’s car configuration differs considerably. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Hamilton has experimented with a range of suspension bars, shock absorbers, and wing angles that are reportedly suboptimal for the SF-25, whereas Leclerc has opted for more conventional settings that better suit the car.
These setup differences surprised Ferrari, which expected a greater level of alignment between its drivers given their similar driving approaches. Hamilton’s unconventional choices illustrate his ongoing search for a competitive edge amid a challenging adaptation to the new team.
Hamilton’s relationship with Vettel and Ferrari’s technical staff
Since Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was confirmed in February 2024, Vettel has reportedly offered supportive assistance. In fact, Hamilton consulted Vettel early on to gain insights about his future race engineer, Riccardo Adami, who worked with Vettel during his five years at Ferrari before overseeing Hamilton’s predecessor, Carlos Sainz.
Following Hamilton’s first track appearance with Ferrari at Fiorano, it was reported that he frequently contacted Vettel for guidance ahead of his debut outing. Hamilton was also seen taking handwritten notes during pre-season testing, a method aligned with Vettel’s disciplined approach during his racing career.
Evaluating Hamilton’s efforts to drive team improvements
In a press briefing at the Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton shared that he has submitted several proposals to Ferrari to enhance both team operations and car performance. Motivated by the experiences of previous champions like Vettel and Fernando Alonso, who both failed to claim titles with Ferrari, Hamilton is determined to avoid a similar fate.
He said:
The reason for it is that I see a huge amount of potential within this team. The passion? Nothing comes close to that.
—Lewis Hamilton, Driver
Hamilton emphasized that Ferrari is a vast organization with many moving parts, some of which he believes are not functioning optimally. He expressed his commitment to challenging everyone, especially team leaders, to unlock the team’s full potential.
Reflecting on Ferrari’s recent history of drivers, he noted the presence of champions such as Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, and Sebastian Vettel, none of whom secured a championship with Ferrari, making his personal goal even more urgent.
Hamilton added:
So I feel that it’s my job to challenge absolutely every area, to challenge everybody in the team, particularly the guys that are at the top making the decisions.
—Lewis Hamilton, Driver
Progress and optimism within Ferrari despite setbacks
Hamilton acknowledged improvements in various areas, including marketing and engineering, and praised the team’s responsiveness to his suggestions. He described his role as building alliances within Ferrari to energize and motivate the workforce.
He concluded with clear ambition, stating:
I’m here to win. And I don’t have as much time as this one here [Andrea Kimi Antonelli], so it’s crunch time.
—Lewis Hamilton, Driver
He expressed strong confidence in Ferrari’s future, believing the team has the potential to secure multiple World Championships moving forward, while pledging to make the most of his tenure to contribute to that legacy.
Hamilton said:
They already have an amazing legacy, but during my time that’s my sole goal.
—Lewis Hamilton, Driver
Implications for Ferrari’s 2025 season and beyond
Hamilton’s ongoing challenges highlight the broader pressures Ferrari faces in maintaining competitiveness in Formula 1. His search for the right car setup and harmony with team dynamics will be critical for his ability to challenge for wins and championships.
Reaching out to Vettel could provide Hamilton practical insights to better adapt his driving style and setup choices to the SF-25, potentially helping him recover from a difficult start. Ferrari’s management is also likely to monitor the internal situation closely, given the comparisons to Vettel’s era and the need for consistent performance.
As the season progresses, Hamilton’s perseverance and influence within the team may prove pivotal to both his personal success and Ferrari’s ambitions in the fiercely competitive 2025 Formula 1 championship.
