Lewis Hamilton remains without a podium finish for Ferrari as the 2025 Formula 1 season nears its halfway mark. The Austrian Grand Prix marks round 11 of 24, and Lewis Hamilton’s barren spell may extend to 13 races—his longest ever without a top-three finish. Since the start of F1’s ground-effect era, the seven-time world champion has endured several low points, and his current campaign is proving to be another difficult chapter.
While teammate Charles Leclerc has secured three podium finishes in the same SF-25 chassis, Lewis Hamilton has struggled to adapt. Ferrari’s current car has displayed deep-rooted issues throughout the year. A dismal double disqualification for both drivers at the Chinese Grand Prix set the tone for what has become a deeply frustrating season.
Hamilton had high hopes when he made the switch from Mercedes to Ferrari over the winter, believing the Scuderia could give him the platform to fight for an eighth world title. However, Ferrari’s failure to meet expectations has not only damaged morale but also raised questions about team principal Fred Vasseur’s future.
Ferrari aim to ease ‘lift-and-coast’ woes with key Austrian GP upgrade
Ferrari are expected to debut a significant upgrade package at the Red Bull Ring, with updates specifically targeted at reducing the SF-25’s reliance on lift-and-coast techniques. According to a report from The Race, this long-standing issue has become one of Ferrari’s most persistent limitations in 2025.
Both Lewis Hamilton and his Maranello teammate have frequently been instructed to ease off the brakes and coast into corners during races—a strategy that preserves the car but comes at the expense of lap time. It’s a particularly frustrating scenario for any driver, especially one of the Briton’s calibre, as it forces a more passive and less aggressive driving style.
This driving compromise has become central to Ferrari’s efforts to manage both skid-block wear—an issue that contributed to Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification in Shanghai—and overheating brake components. While the new Austrian GP upgrade could help alleviate the problem, there’s internal recognition that a complete fix might never be achieved. As a result, both drivers may continue to receive unwelcome instructions over team radio throughout the remainder of the campaign.
Lewis Hamilton growing frustrated with Ferrari’s setup philosophy
As the second half of the season approaches, Lewis Hamilton’s dissatisfaction appears to be growing. He has reportedly voiced his concerns about Ferrari’s setup decisions, which he believes contradict his instincts and limit the car’s true capabilities.
Former Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has publicly backed Lewis Hamilton to rebound, noting that the Briton has a history of performing strongly in the latter stages of the year. In 2024, Lewis Hamilton didn’t score a podium until the 10th round but finished the season with five—including two race victories. His supporters believe that as he continues to adjust to Ferrari’s unique handling traits, his performance will naturally improve.
However, Ferrari’s growing shift in focus toward the 2026 regulations complicates matters. While the Briton may build a better relationship with his engineers and gain a clearer understanding of the car’s behaviour, those gains may not be reflected in immediate results. Like many teams, Ferrari must balance their current performance with long-term development goals, meaning they could willingly concede progress in 2025 to prioritise the future.
To be in the best possible position heading into next season, Lewis Hamilton knows he must align more closely with Ferrari’s engineering team. He reportedly believes the Scuderia are currently making counterintuitive decisions on car setup, which he feels are holding him back from unlocking the SF-25’s full potential.
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