Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari in 2025 has been marked by challenges that have surprised some fans, but for insiders, this kind of adaptation issue is not entirely unexpected. Joining the Scuderia, a team with a unique engineering philosophy and a different car behavior compared to Mercedes, requires a period of learning and recalibration. Despite being a seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton has found it difficult to fully exploit the strengths of the SF-25, while his teammate Charles Leclerc continues to deliver performances that remain at a consistently high level. The reasons behind the Briton’s struggles are multiple, but technical insights and perspectives from experienced former Ferrari personnel, like Francesco Cigarini, shed light on the situation.
Hamilton’s mindset and partial Mercedes attachment
Francesco Cigarini, a former Ferrari mechanic, drew parallels between Lewis Hamilton’s current difficulties and Sebastian Vettel’s early struggles at Maranello. The German, also a multiple world champion, encountered significant issues when trying to replicate the car setups used by Charles Leclerc. On several occasions, despite his experience, Sebastian Vettel appeared almost like a rookie, struggling to adapt his driving style to the car’s behavior. According to Cigarini, a similar dynamic seems to be affecting Lewis Hamilton.
In Formula 1, the teammate is often the first and most direct competitor, and this dynamic can amplify performance differences. Looking at the early results of the 2025 season, Charles Leclerc has consistently outperformed Lewis Hamilton, highlighting a growing gap in adaptation and car understanding. While the SF-25 has its own characteristics that are different from the Mercedes W14, it is evident that Lewis Hamilton’s mind may still be partially aligned with his previous experiences, making it harder for him to fully integrate into Ferrari’s setup philosophy.
Adapting to the SF-25: a steep learning curve
From the very start of the 2025 season, it was clear that the Briton would face a steep learning curve. The SF-25 is a car with very different systems and sensitivities compared to the Mercedes he dominated for years. Drivers must recalibrate their perceptions of braking points, throttle response, and steering feedback to fully exploit the car’s potential. For Lewis Hamilton, this adaptation has not yet been completed. In other words, while he is still capable of competitive lap times, the subtle balance required to maximize the car’s performance consistently remains elusive.
Ferrari cars, including the SF-25, have a high degree of complexity. The vehicle relies heavily on mechanical grip, nuanced aerodynamics, and precise brake balance to extract optimal performance. Charles Leclerc, having grown up within the Ferrari framework, is naturally more attuned to these factors. Lewis Hamilton, by contrast, must adjust not only his driving feel but also his internal feedback loop that determines how to react to the car’s behavior in real time. This recalibration process, though familiar to F1 drivers of his caliber, is complicated by the SF-25’s unique dynamics.
Sensitivity to car parameters makes all the difference
Every F1 car evolves year to year, but the underlying systems—suspension, differential, brake-by-wire systems, and aerodynamics—require highly individualized handling. This is where the Briton’s challenge becomes apparent. Leclerc has an advantage because of his intimate knowledge of Ferrari’s systems and how minor adjustments translate to car behavior on track. Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, is still exploring the limits of these systems, which directly affects his ability to perform at the same level.
This sensitivity discrepancy is particularly noticeable during braking phases. Charles Leclerc’s consistency in late braking zones and his ability to maintain balance under heavy deceleration highlight the gap between him and Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari’s engineers are aware that, during this difficult period, Hamilton requires extra support and confidence to find the rhythm that comes more naturally to Charles Leclerc.
Francesco Cigarini pointed out that, historically, when a driver struggles to find confidence, teams often try to replicate the successful setups of their teammate. While this may seem like a straightforward solution, it often does not address the root cause. Individual driving sensitivities, reactions to the car’s balance, and personal style mean that what works perfectly for one driver may be ineffective for another. In Lewis’ case, attempting to copy Charles’ setup does not bridge the performance gap; it highlights the deeper adaptation issues.
Driving style differences affect results
At first glance, Lewis and Charles might appear to share a similar approach to driving, favoring smooth inputs and precise lines. However, the two drivers differ significantly in their sensitivity to the car. The Monegasque’s experience with Ferrari allows him to exploit every subtle advantage the SF-25 offers, while the Briton’s feedback loop is still adjusting to new parameters such as front-end bite, brake modulation, and throttle sensitivity. These differences translate into measurable performance gaps, especially in corners with high-speed entry and braking transitions.
The combination of mechanical and aerodynamic parameters that make the SF-25 excel in Charles’ hands simply does not work the same way for Lewis. Brake bias, differential settings, and even steering weight need to be recalibrated for the Briton’s unique input style, and until this is achieved, the British driver will continue to face challenges extracting maximum performance.
Hamilton’s limitations are impacting results
The core issue remains that Hamilton has not yet established a strong connection with the SF-25. He struggles to leverage the car’s strengths and is still searching for a reliable way to improve his pace. Ferrari engineers themselves appear puzzled by his underperformance, as Hamilton has always been known for his adaptability and ability to quickly understand new machinery. In interviews, Hamilton has expressed that he is working tirelessly on all aspects of his driving, yet despite his efforts, he has not found the margin required to close the gap with Leclerc.
This situation suggests that Lewis Hamilton’s characteristic adaptability—previously one of his greatest strengths—is being tested in an unusual way. After half a season with Ferrari, it seems he has not yet fully mastered the tools at his disposal, including brake-by-wire settings, ERS deployment strategies, and the SF-25’s specific aero balance characteristics.
Analyzing onboard footage: clues and differences
While Ferrari’s SF-25 is generally known for a higher degree of understeer, it should theoretically suit Lewis Hamilton better than Charles Leclerc, as his driving style tends to favor stability and smoothness. Yet the car’s tendency for an unsettled rear end continues to challenge him, affecting his confidence in mid-corner grip and traction. Onboard footage from various tracks illustrates noticeable differences in how the two drivers approach braking zones, corner apexes, and throttle application. Charles Leclerc consistently maintains the car within the optimal window, while Lewis Hamilton occasionally struggles to find a stable rhythm, leading to small but cumulative performance losses.
Charles Leclerc has hinted that improvements may come from the Dutch Grand Prix onwards, suggesting that Ferrari’s ongoing adjustments and Lewis Hamilton’s gradual adaptation could finally yield better results. Until then, the team continues to provide extra support and encouragement, while analysts and fans observe whether Hamilton can bridge the gap between his established world-class performance and the unique demands of the SF-25.
The road ahead for Hamilton at Ferrari
Moving forward, Lewis Hamilton will need to focus on several key areas to improve his performance with the SF-25. First, he must continue recalibrating his braking and throttle inputs to align with the car’s mechanical and aerodynamic characteristics. Second, he will need to refine his feedback to the engineers, allowing them to tailor setups that suit his individual driving sensitivity. Finally, he must maintain confidence despite the early season setbacks, trusting the team’s support and the ongoing development of the SF-25.
Although this adaptation process is challenging, the Briton’s history as a seven-time world champion demonstrates his capacity to overcome similar obstacles. If he can combine his technical understanding with Ferrari’s engineering support, there is potential for him to gradually reduce the gap with Charles Leclerc and unlock the SF-25’s full performance. However, this will require patience, consistent work on the simulator, and effective communication with his engineers to ensure the car is set up to complement his driving style.
In conclusion, Lewis’ struggles at Ferrari are rooted in a combination of psychological, technical, and adaptation factors. Unlike his Maranello teammate, who has grown within the Ferrari environment and fully understands the SF-25’s behavior, Lewis Hamilton is still learning to harmonize his driving style with the car’s unique characteristics. The ongoing gap in performance, particularly in braking and mid-corner stability, highlights how critical individual sensitivity to the car is in Formula 1. Fans and analysts will be closely watching the upcoming races, starting with the Dutch Grand Prix, to see if Lewis can finally unlock the SF-25’s potential and begin a closer fight with his teammate.
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