Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari at the beginning of the 2025 Formula 1 season has not brought the anticipated turnaround, as the British driver and his new team face notable difficulties. Despite significant expectations surrounding Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes, the team has yet to achieve a race win, and Hamilton himself has not secured a podium finish after 14 races, including main events and sprints, with only a few races left this season.
The ongoing issues with Ferrari’s SF-25 car have drawn considerable attention, partly because of Hamilton’s high-profile status as a seven-time world champion joining the Italian team. This combination has amplified the team’s struggles in the public eye, highlighting the pressure on both driver and squad to perform.
Jacques Villeneuve Comments on Ferrari’s Struggles and Hamilton’s Influence
Jacques Villeneuve, former Formula 1 champion and current pundit for Sky Sports, emphasized that the difficulties Ferrari is experiencing this season are more visible due to Hamilton’s presence with the team. Villeneuve noted that both Ferrari and Hamilton took a significant risk by partnering, as the driver’s reputation intensifies the impact of the team’s ups and downs.
“Ferrari are completely lost right now and obviously needs some direction. Lewis is big there. Both Lewis and Ferrari took a risk by going together because if the team doesn’t go well with the image that Lewis and the attention that Lewis brings to the team, it makes it even bigger. Whatever is good or whatever is bad is amplified by having Lewis there.” — Jacques Villeneuve, former F1 world champion and pundit
“When races go wrong, a season goes wrong; it looks worse than it is and vice versa. That’s what Lewis also brings to the table, and that’s the gamble Ferrari took, and Ferrari has the same effect on the driver. It’s always been like this with Ferraris. It’s either great or awful to a bigger extent. But when you put Lewis in it, this is even a bigger concept.” — Jacques Villeneuve, former F1 world champion and pundit
So far this year, Ferrari has only earned a single pole position—achieved at the Hungarian Grand Prix—and still awaits its first victory in 2025.
David Brabham Questions Hamilton’s Racing Future amid Ferrari Hardships
David Brabham, a former Formula 1 driver, expressed concerns about Lewis Hamilton’s future in the sport given the challenging environment at Ferrari. Speaking with RacingNews365, Brabham suggested that Hamilton might have considered retiring earlier instead of continuing through tough seasons with Mercedes and Ferrari.
“I fear for him in the sense that he’s gone into quite a challenging situation with Ferrari to get them to become world champions again. I can understand why he feels he could do that. Time will tell whether he can. For me, he probably should have retired a couple of years ago and gone out on a real high.” — David Brabham, former F1 driver
Hamilton is currently under contract with Ferrari through the end of 2026, including an option to extend for the following season. Despite setbacks, the driver has stated he does not plan to stop racing anytime soon, aiming to continue competing at the highest level.
Impact of Hamilton’s Tenure on Ferrari and the Sport’s Outlook
The combination of Lewis Hamilton’s status and Ferrari’s current struggles makes the 2025 season particularly challenging for both parties. The intense scrutiny means that every result is magnified, creating pressure that affects team morale and public perception. Ferrari’s difficulties this year highlight how difficult it can be to manage expectations when a legendary driver joins one of motorsport’s most storied outfits.
Looking ahead, Ferrari will need to find better performance and consistency to justify the gamble of having Hamilton on board. For Hamilton, the upcoming races will be crucial opportunities to demonstrate whether he can help restore Ferrari’s competitive edge and extend his own legacy in Formula 1.
