Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari struggles deepen as Bernie Collins dismisses 2025 setup conspiracy theory
Lewis Hamilton’s ongoing difficulties in adapting to life at Scuderia Ferrari have become one of the defining storylines of the 2025 Formula 1 campaign. Despite the hype surrounding his high-profile move from Mercedes to Ferrari, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion has endured a frustrating campaign marked by underperformance and inconsistency.
Fourteen races into the season, the British driver has yet to step onto the podium, and currently sits in sixth place in the Drivers’ Championship standings. His position places him significantly behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, underlining the performance gap between the two drivers within the same team. Even with various technical updates introduced by the team in an attempt to improve his competitiveness, Hamilton has struggled to find his rhythm. In fact, Ferrari’s recent upgrade to the rear suspension may have inadvertently exacerbated his challenges behind the wheel rather than alleviating them.
With each passing race weekend, the opportunity for Hamilton to realize his long-held dream of winning a world title in red becomes increasingly slim. The 2025 season now appears to be more of a transitional phase than a competitive campaign. For Hamilton, the most productive course of action may now be to dedicate the remainder of this year to preparing for the sweeping 2026 regulation changes. This strategic pivot would allow him to familiarise himself further with Ferrari’s operational approach and gain valuable insight for next season’s car development.
Internally, Ferrari has not turned a blind eye to Hamilton’s increasingly vocal frustrations. His outburst at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he described the situation as “useless” after qualifying a disappointing 12th, did not go unnoticed. The frustration seems to stem not only from the lack of results but also from a deeper realization that integrating into Ferrari’s unique culture is far more complex than initially expected.
According to sources close to the team, Hamilton is only now beginning to grasp the depth of commitment and adaptation required to succeed within the Maranello-based outfit. This revelation has echoed the experiences of several other top-tier drivers who have failed to thrive at Ferrari over the years, reinforcing the notion that excelling at the Scuderia demands more than just raw talent.
Amid growing speculation surrounding Hamilton’s future, Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle recently expressed his concerns. He predicted that Lewis Hamilton’s time at Ferrari may come to a premature end and suggested that it would be difficult to envision the British driver remaining with the team beyond the 2026 season. Whether Hamilton chooses to retire or re-enter the driver market remains unclear, but Brundle hinted at the possibility of a return to Mercedes—particularly if young talent Kimi Antonelli fails to meet expectations.
Adding to the swirl of rumours, social media and fan forums have recently suggested that Ferrari might be providing Charles Leclerc with preferential treatment in terms of car setups. However, these claims were firmly dismissed by Sky Sports F1 strategist Bernie Collins. She addressed the theory, which alleged that Hamilton was being denied equal equipment, and made it clear that such speculation had little grounding in fact.
Bernie Collins explained that although the Ferrari drivers had been running slightly different rear wing configurations during recent race weekends, there was no evidence to support the idea of internal favouritism. She stated that the variations likely stemmed from driver preference, with one configuration offering a marginal advantage in qualifying, while the other might perform better during race stints. In her view, differences like these are common in Formula 1 and should not be interpreted as signs of a conspiracy.
The former Aston Martin strategist emphasised that people are often quick to jump to conclusions, particularly when a high-profile driver like Hamilton is underperforming. She reiterated that everyone within Ferrari would be working collaboratively to unlock the best possible performance from both cars, with no intention of sabotaging Hamilton’s efforts.
Looking ahead to the second half of the 2025 season, there is still a chance for Hamilton to turn things around, at least in part. With more track time, he could gain a better understanding of Ferrari’s latest upgrades and extract improved performance from the SF-25. Continuous mileage will be crucial not only for Lewis Hamilton but also for Charles Leclerc, as the team seeks to fine-tune its package for the final stretch of the season.
However, recent results have added to the concern. At the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend, the British driver equaled an unwanted record previously held by four-time world champion Alain Prost—he failed to score points for the first time in a race since joining Ferrari. This performance marked a new low in his tenure with the Italian team and further highlighted the scale of the challenge he faces.
Former world champion Damon Hill has also weighed in, suggesting that Hamilton’s age could become an increasingly limiting factor. Hill warned that returning to the front of the grid becomes more difficult with each passing year, especially in a sport as demanding as Formula 1. Hamilton will turn 41 in 2026, and if he manages to win a title at that age, he would become the oldest F1 world champion since 1967—and only the third driver in history to do so in their forties.
As the 2025 campaign moves into its final phase, Lewis Hamilton finds himself at a crossroads. With speculation mounting over internal team dynamics, technical challenges, and the physical toll of age, the remainder of the season could prove critical in determining whether he can still fulfill his dream of winning with Ferrari—or whether his legendary career may soon reach its conclusion.
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