Lewis Hamilton, the iconic Formula 1 driver, is encountering significant challenges since joining Ferrari from Mercedes. After a tough weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he finished seventh, Hamilton is reportedly feeling ‘truly lost.’ Despite his efforts, his teammate Charles Leclerc managed a podium finish in Jeddah, emphasizing the struggles Hamilton is facing.
This season has been less than smooth for Hamilton, who is renowned for his on-track prowess. His transition from Mercedes to Ferrari has not gone as expected, with only a sprint race victory in China standing out as a notable success. Millions of fans around the world, accustomed to Hamilton’s winning ways, are now witnessing a rare dip in his performance. Remarkably, Hamilton admitted post-race that he has never felt comfortable in the Ferrari car since making the switch.
Adding to the insights, former F1 driver Timo Glock shared his perspective on Hamilton’s situation during a discussion on Sky Sports F1 Germany. “It’s extremely difficult for him,” Glock remarked. “It seems as if he’s truly lost and doesn’t know where he’s headed. So many things are different for him than they were during his time at Mercedes. It’s really bothering him. It’s hard for him to understand where the car needs to go.”
Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, has tried to temper the narrative surrounding Hamilton’s challenges by downplaying his early struggles, urging the media to be more understanding. However, statistics add weight to the concerns. Hamilton has been consistently outperformed by Leclerc in the grand prix races of this season, with the exception of the China sprint, and he trails in the standings by 16 points.
This new chapter has also introduced unexpected competition for Hamilton, as he finds himself trailing Kimi Antonelli, the rookie who took his place at Mercedes, and former teammate George Russell. Hopes of an eighth world championship appear distant now, adding to Ferrari’s woes as they strive to catch up with McLaren in the constructors’ standings.
Ferrari’s challenge in reclaiming the constructors’ crown is growing ever more daunting, having taken the title showdown to the final moments in 2024. Currently, they find themselves more than 100 points adrift of the reigning champions, underscoring the significant hurdles ahead.
