F1 | Why Lewis Hamilton struggled in his first Ferrari season, according to Maranello. Ferrari’s Head of Track Engineering explains the reasons behind Lewis Hamilton’s difficult 2025 season.

One of the key figures within Ferrari has explained the reasons behind the difficulties Lewis Hamilton experienced during the 2025 season, offering an in-depth analysis of his relationship with the team.

It was certainly not the 2025 season that either Lewis Hamilton or Ferrari had hoped to experience. The bold statements made ahead of the season quickly turned into frustration, and what had been labelled as the “deal of the century” was soon described by some as one of the wrong choices made under Fred Vasseur’s management. Added to this was a working relationship that appeared never to fully flourish between the two sides, probably because both were used to operating in very different environments and situations.

This was enough to spark speculation about a possible early departure for the seven-time Formula 1 world champion. Those rumours were quickly denied by both the Maranello-based team and Hamilton himself, who remains determined to bring his Formula 1 career to a fitting conclusion.

Is the relationship between Hamilton and Ferrari really as strained as it seems?

Offering an answer to that question was Matteo Togninalli, Ferrari’s Head of Track Engineering, who spoke openly about the number 44’s first season in Italy. “For a driver like Lewis, who had spent ten years with the same team, changing teams was not easy, but in the same way it was not easy for us to adapt to a different way of working. Every team has its own methodologies that each member is used to. Then, if we also consider the fact that we did not have a car capable of fighting for the title, that explains the frustration that was in the air,” Matteo Togninalli explained.

“I think that from the outside the situation appeared more dramatic than it actually was. The relationship we are building with Lewis is very positive. After ten months of working together, I can say that there is already a strong connection. Obviously, the lack of results means that from the outside a misleading message is conveyed about what is really happening at Ferrari,” the Italian engineer added.

“As for his difficulties, I believe they are linked to the need to adapt to a different way of working. And probably both we and Lewis underestimated this aspect at the beginning. But I am confident and convinced that the situation is not as dramatic as people think and that it will improve over time. This season we saw that qualifying accounted for 90% of the work. Those who started at the front finished at the front. Starting from behind, except in exceptional cases, it was always very difficult to overtake. From this point of view, a lot depended on the tyres, and that is where we focused our efforts throughout the year,” Matteo Togninalli concluded.

As Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari continue to build their connection behind the scenes, all eyes will be on Maranello to see if the second season of their partnership delivers the championship results fans expect. The transition periods in F1 are always challenging, but the promise of a strong comeback from this iconic pairing remains a key narrative for the sport. Do you think Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari will find their form and fight for the title next season? Share your predictions and opinions below!