Lewis Hamilton Faces Scrutiny at Ferrari, But Alex Jacques Warns Critics May Be Overlooking Crucial Factors
Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Scuderia Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship has proven to be far more challenging than anticipated, with recent performances raising questions about his form and future. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion endured his most difficult result of the season at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he crossed the line in a disappointing 12th place. Yet according to Formula 1 commentator Alex Jacques, those rushing to criticise Hamilton may be underestimating key elements of his situation.
Speaking to F1 Oversteer, Jacques pointed out that Hamilton’s critics appear too quick to judge his early performances with Ferrari, especially given the context of the transition and the technical limitations he currently faces. Hamilton, who has made rare public displays of frustration in recent races, gave what Jacques described as an “uncharacteristic” interview in the media pen following the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking his third consecutive early qualifying exit. This emotional reaction followed a similarly troubled weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, where mistakes also hindered his efforts.
In his post-race reflections, Lewis Hamilton reportedly described his own performance as “useless” and openly questioned whether Ferrari had made the right choice in signing him. The British driver has failed to finish higher than fourth place in the last five Grands Prix, fuelling concerns about his ability to deliver results for the Maranello-based team.
Now aged 40, Lewis Hamilton joins Fernando Alonso as one of the oldest drivers on the current grid, and his age has become a focal point in media discussions since his high-profile move to Ferrari. While age inevitably sparks debate regarding performance longevity, former F1 driver Vitantonio Liuzzi acknowledged that although age does impact drivers, he still believes Hamilton retains the hunger and determination necessary to compete at the highest level.
Alex Jacques reinforced this view, suggesting that what many observers fail to recognise is how the unique combination of current regulations and car characteristics have not aligned with Hamilton’s strengths. Jacques argued that, despite recent criticism, Hamilton’s true performance potential cannot be properly evaluated until the current technical cycle concludes.
According to Jacques, Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari should be viewed through a long-term lens. The British driver signed a lucrative contract worth £39 million per season, and is widely expected to see out the remainder of his Formula 1 career with the Scuderia. Hamilton has been vocal about his ambition to secure an unprecedented eighth world championship title, and the significant regulatory overhaul coming in 2026 could represent his best opportunity to do so.
Jacques noted that Lewis Hamilton, like many veteran drivers, has achieved tremendous success under previous regulation sets but has only managed two race victories and a single pole position since the introduction of the current technical rules in 2022. These regulations, in Jacques’ view, have not complemented Lewis Hamilton’s driving style, much in the same way that they previously proved incompatible with Daniel Ricciardo’s natural approach.
Jacques also emphasised the exceptionally high standard of the current driver grid, which features formidable talents such as Max Verstappen, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri. In this environment, he argued, even experienced champions like Hamilton may find it difficult to fully showcase their abilities—particularly when working with machinery that does not suit their preferences.
Looking ahead, Alex Jacques believes that the regulatory reset scheduled for 2026 may offer Hamilton a much-needed clean slate. He added that enduring these current struggles without prematurely assessing the success or failure of the Ferrari move is crucial for a balanced judgment.
Reflecting on the Hungarian Grand Prix specifically, Jacques noted that the disappointment would have been especially painful for Hamilton, given that the Hungaroring is traditionally one of his strongest circuits, alongside Silverstone and Montreal. Being outperformed by his teammate Charles Leclerc at a track where he has historically excelled would understandably weigh heavily on the British driver. Jacques concluded that Hamilton’s hopes now rest on Ferrari’s ability to capitalise on the incoming regulation changes and deliver a car capable of fighting at the front.
Beyond on-track performance, Lewis Hamilton’s mental resilience and work ethic have also drawn praise from Jacques. With Ferrari yet to deliver a podium finish for Hamilton in the first half of the 2025 season—while Leclerc recently secured his fifth podium at Spa—Hamilton has remained deeply engaged in development discussions. He has been providing consistent technical feedback to engineers and began his physical training for the season earlier than usual, suggesting an unwavering commitment to success.
Alex Jacques believes that many people continue to underestimate the immense mental energy required to remain competitive in Formula 1 at Hamilton’s age. Having raced in the sport since 2007, Hamilton has consistently returned year after year with a determination to prove himself against a new generation of elite drivers. While careers inevitably experience highs and lows, Jacques argued that Hamilton’s current form must be seen in the broader context of a gruelling calendar, increasing competition, and technical challenges.
Alex Jacques also remarked that the timing of Hamilton’s frustration—coming at round 14, just before the summer break—should be understood within the strain of the European leg of the season. Expectations at the beginning of the year were understandably high, especially since Ferrari ended the second half of 2024 as the most competitive team in terms of points scored. However, the team’s inability to run the SF-25 low enough to the ground in race trim has made it difficult to replicate that performance consistently in 2025.
Ferrari themselves are now likely to conduct an internal review of what went wrong during the Hungarian Grand Prix. Leclerc also struggled to contend for top positions, reportedly finishing outside the podium due to suspected excessive plank wear—an issue that has plagued the SF-25 on multiple occasions this season.
As the championship moves into its second half, both Hamilton and Ferrari face increasing pressure to turn their fortunes around. While public scrutiny will undoubtedly continue, Alex Jacques made it clear that Hamilton’s determination, long-term vision, and unrelenting work ethic remain intact—and could yet yield results when the new regulatory era begins.
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