That Lewis Hamilton would face a difficult transition after leaving Mercedes to join Scuderia Ferrari was widely expected, but very few anticipated the scale of the challenges the seven-time world champion is now experiencing. Since that opening race in Melbourne, 13 more Grands Prix have passed, bringing new solutions, tests, debriefings, and technical updates. Yet the British driver still has not managed to find harmony with the Ferrari SF-25, and some observers believe he has not fully connected with the entire team either. The gap to his team-mate Charles Leclerc has not closed—in fact, on several weekends it has even grown wider, creating a vicious cycle that is dragging down Hamilton’s confidence and performance.
Explaining this phenomenon is not simple. There are only a few certainties and many possible explanations. On one side, Hamilton has historically struggled with the new generation of ground-effect Formula 1 cars. On the other, he is still adjusting to a completely different working environment after spending 12 consecutive years inside the Mercedes system. What has become clear in this first half of the season is that Hamilton has not yet fully understood Italy, nor the unique culture of Ferrari.
There was a telling episode that slipped somewhat under the radar but highlighted this cultural clash. During an appearance in the fan zone at the Austrian Grand Prix, Hamilton remarked that “In Italy they take an hour for lunch,” as if it were something incomprehensible. Beyond the stereotypes about Italian food and lifestyle, that comment revealed how he has not yet adapted to the rhythms of life within Ferrari, and perhaps does not even want to adapt, preferring instead to impose his own pace.
The notes for the engineers
In the last two critical race weekends, the distance between Hamilton and Ferrari has become even more apparent. At Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, Hamilton told the press that he had prepared detailed reports to hand over to the team. According to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport, these documents included suggestions on car modifications, working methods, communication between departments, and race management. His words caused a stir, even though every driver regularly provides such feedback during internal team briefings. However, airing this in front of the media was perceived as undermining the work of the thousands of Ferrari employees at Maranello.
Then in Hungary, there was another enigmatic moment. After the race, Hamilton told the media that “things are happening behind the scenes,” without elaborating further. That cryptic statement fueled speculation and highlighted the unease surrounding his adaptation to Ferrari. Perhaps the main factor unsettling him is the sheer weight of the Ferrari brand itself—the fact that Ferrari is not only a racing team but also a globally recognized luxury company with an extremely complex internal politics. Over the years, these politics have famously caused headaches and even cost reputations within the team.
It seems that Lewis Hamilton has not yet adapted to this structure, one that in Italy is almost considered normal. Unfortunately, Formula 1 allows very little time for patience or adjustment. The only real remedy is experience and habit—things that are rare commodities in the fast-moving world of the sport. The remaining races of the season will therefore be decisive in shaping Hamilton’s future at Ferrari. For the seven-time world champion, the real hope lies in 2026, when he may have the chance to face the challenge with a more open mindset and perhaps a more natural integration into Ferrari’s culture.
