Lewis Hamilton Endures Tough First Half of Ferrari Debut Season as Leclerc Echoes Russell’s Verdict
As Lewis Hamilton approaches the halfway point of his first campaign with Ferrari, the 2025 Formula 1 season has proven more challenging than anticipated. The Austrian Grand Prix marks round 11 out of 24 and closes the first six months of Hamilton’s stint at Maranello — a period defined by underwhelming results and growing pressure.
Hamilton currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings, having averaged under eight points per weekend — a far cry from what many expected of the seven-time world champion. Prior to the season, analysts believed Hamilton might trail Charles Leclerc in qualifying but compensate with stronger race pace on Sundays. Ironically, his performance across a single lap has been closer than expected, with Hamilton trailing Leclerc just 8-4 in qualifying head-to-heads (including Sprint sessions). However, in races where both drivers have finished, Leclerc leads the intra-team battle decisively, 8-2.
If Hamilton fails to reach the podium in Austria, he will extend the longest podium drought of his Formula 1 career to 13 Grands Prix — a statistic that underscores the uphill battle he and Ferrari face.
Charles Leclerc Supports George Russell’s Claim: Hamilton Is the Greatest
Lewis Hamilton’s decline began in the final stages of his Mercedes career, where he failed to finish inside the top six of the championship — a first since his rookie season. He was regularly outperformed by teammate George Russell during that time. However, within the Formula 1 paddock, the Briton still commands deep respect as the most decorated driver in the sport’s history. While tied with Michael Schumacher at seven world titles, Lewis Hamilton holds the outright record for race victories, with 105 wins compared to Michael Schumacher’s 91.
Last year, Russell publicly described the Briton as the greatest F1 driver of all time. That sentiment has now been echoed by Charles Leclerc following their first ten races as teammates at Ferrari. During a light-hearted appearance at the Austrian Grand Prix fan zone, the two drivers participated in a guessing game involving legendary drivers. When the Briton gave the clue “greatest driver of all time,” Charles Leclerc immediately responded by suggesting Hamilton himself — drawing laughter from the crowd and a smile from the veteran champion.
Lewis Hamilton Looks to the Future as Ferrari’s 2026 Progress Offers New Hope
Despite his current struggles, Lewis Hamilton remains focused on the long game. His goal remains clear: to become the first driver in F1 history to claim an eighth world title — and to do so in Ferrari red. While such an achievement seems distant given current form, optimism is beginning to build behind the scenes.
Sources from Lewis Hamilton’s former camp at Mercedes have suggested that he thrives when given a competitive car, a theory partially supported by his strong showing in the Sprint race earlier this year in China. For the Briton, success appears to hinge less on form and more on the competitiveness of his machinery.
Encouragingly, Ferrari insiders report that early data from the team’s 2026 project is showing great promise. With sweeping regulation changes on the horizon, the hierarchy of F1 is set to shift once again — potentially playing into the hands of experienced drivers like Hamilton.
If he can capitalise on that opportunity, Lewis Hamilton could become the oldest world champion since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957 — a feat that would further cement his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
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