Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari in 2025 has been marked by frustration and underperformance, as the seven-time world champion struggles to contend for race wins amid the team’s challenges. Despite high expectations following a much-anticipated switch during the winter break, Hamilton has found himself unable to consistently challenge for victories, with Ferrari currently positioned as the fourth-best team on the grid. These setbacks have put his quest for an eighth world title in jeopardy.
Former Formula 1 champion Jenson Button shared his perspective on Hamilton’s current situation during the Miami Grand Prix, describing a noticeable change in the driver’s mindset.
“Lewis is a different character now than he was when we were team-mates. If he was deflated, the next day he was out and on it and super fast. Now, he’s much more of a calm personality, he’s much more of a rounded character,”
Button explained. This shift indicates that Hamilton is coping with the pressure differently compared to his earlier career years.
Adding to Hamilton’s difficulties is the strong performance of his teammate Charles Leclerc, who has outqualified him five times in the first six races of 2025. This consistent gap has reportedly been a source of frustration for Hamilton, as Button noted,
“I think it is starting to hurt him a little bit, constantly being slower than his team-mate. That’s not how Lewis Hamilton is built. He’s a winner.”
The contrast between the two drivers highlights Ferrari’s current internal competition and challenges in providing a car capable of topping the field.
Hamilton’s best achievement this season remains a sprint race victory in China; however, he has yet to finish higher than fifth place in any Grand Prix event. The team’s ongoing development and forthcoming upgrades, expected to debut at Ferrari’s home race in Imola, offer a glimmer of hope for improvement. With enhancements on the horizon, Hamilton will be eager to regain competitive form and revive his title ambitions before the season progresses further.
