Guenther Steiner, former Haas F1 team principal, argues that the main challenge facing Lewis Hamilton in his first season at Ferrari is the excessive expectations surrounding the partnership. The Lewis Hamilton Ferrari expectations have proven difficult to meet in 2025, as both the driver and the team have encountered significant setbacks.
The partnership has struggled notably as Ferrari’s SF-25 car has underperformed due to mechanical difficulties, including problems maintaining the optimal ride height. Hamilton, despite his experience and skill, has found it tough to adapt to the new car, failing to reach the podium in any of his first seventeen races with Ferrari. While there has been minor improvement in recent events, the overall season remains disappointing for both the driver and the team.
One of the only bright moments for Hamilton this year was winning the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix in April. Still, that weekend was overshadowed by the disqualification of both Ferrari cars due to excessive plank wear, which cast doubt on the significance of the result.
The Origins and Impact of the High Expectations
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari during the off-season was met with widespread excitement, fueled by his reputation as Formula 1’s most successful driver and Ferrari’s legacy as the sport’s most victorious team. Last year, Ferrari narrowly lost the constructors’ championship to McLaren by just 14 points, finishing with the second-fastest car after them.
In an attempt to outperform McLaren this season, Ferrari made substantial changes to their car, but these modifications have yet to yield consistent results. A telling example occurred in Baku, where Hamilton showed the potential to qualify among the top three but was eliminated in Q2 because Ferrari failed to provide fresh tires for his final qualifying runs.
Steiner expressed to the Inside Line Podcast that the soaring expectations following Hamilton’s move were overly optimistic. He explained,
I think the biggest problem there is the expectations which were set last year when it was announced. The expectation was Lewis is coming back to win his eighth world championship [at] Ferrari,
Steiner said.
He added,
Because at the time, when it was announced, Ferrari was very strong, the second half of last year’s season.
Steiner further reflected on the idealism surrounding the switch:
This dream, everybody believed [in it], me included. It’s like, this is too good. Then obviously this year, reality set in, and guess what, we are all disappointed.
Ongoing Struggles and What Lies Ahead
The combination of Ferrari’s technical challenges and the burden of unrealistic expectations has created a frustrating scenario for both Hamilton and the team. The SF-25’s limitations and the team’s inability to maximize its potential remain major obstacles. Hamilton’s adaptation period has been longer and tougher than anticipated, impacting his ability to challenge front-runners regularly.
Looking forward, Ferrari will need to address these performance shortcomings while managing the pressure that surrounds such a high-profile driver. How quickly the team can improve the SF-25 and how Hamilton grows more comfortable with the car will determine the trajectory of their collaboration for the rest of the 2025 season and beyond.
