Ferrari Faces Internal Pressure as Hamilton Struggles to Find His Footing in 2025
As the second half of the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches, there are numerous subplots beyond the championship duel between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Among the most intriguing is the ongoing challenge at Ferrari, where Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are still searching for their first Grand Prix victory of the year. The Scuderia has yet to taste success this season, raising questions about driver performance and team strategy.
If Hamilton fails to reach the podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, he risks equaling the record set by Louis Rosier in 1954 for the most races with Ferrari without a podium, standing at 15. This statistic underscores the struggles the seven-time world champion is facing in adapting to the SF-25 and competing against his younger teammate, Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton Compared to Ferrari Legends Alonso and Vettel
Jolyon Palmer has raised concerns about Hamilton’s effectiveness at Ferrari, drawing comparisons to Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. Both Alonso and Vettel joined the Scuderia as world champions but were unable to add to their title counts while with the Italian team. Hamilton is determined not to follow in Vettel’s footsteps, yet with the current challenges, it appears increasingly unlikely that he will claim an eighth drivers’ championship with Ferrari during his tenure.
Gerhard Berger Highlights Lewis Hamilton’s Unprecedented Struggles
Gerhard Berger, who experienced the highs and lows of racing for Ferrari without securing a title, has commented on Hamilton’s current predicament. Speaking to Austrian outlet Krone ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Berger noted that Hamilton is navigating a scenario unlike anything he has faced before in Formula 1.
Berger explained that Hamilton, long accustomed to being the number one driver in his team, is now overshadowed by Charles Leclerc, who currently leads him by 42 points after 14 rounds. He described the situation as “messed up” and emphasized that Hamilton must find a way to regain control over both his own performance and his relationship with his teammate. Berger characterized the challenge as a test of Hamilton’s resilience and leadership within the team.
Number One Status and Mid-Season Adjustments
Ferrari deliberately chose not to designate either Hamilton or Leclerc as the number one driver at the start of the 2025 season, but Leclerc’s form has effectively positioned him as the team’s leading competitor. Hamilton, now 40, tends to improve as the season progresses, and it will be critical to observe whether he has used the summer break to better understand Ferrari’s recent technical updates and adapt to the team’s operational methods.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and External Opinions on Hamilton’s Career
Lewis Hamilton is also pinning his hopes on the regulation changes for the 2026 season, which could play to his strengths after a challenging period with ground-effect cars. Veteran engineer Pat Symonds believes the 2026 technical package will suit Hamilton’s driving style, though the true impact will only be clear once the new cars are on track. Hamilton has received encouragement from Sergio Perez, who empathizes with the struggles of adapting to a new team environment.
However, not everyone is optimistic about Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1. Bernie Ecclestone has publicly suggested that Hamilton should consider retirement, believing that the opportunity to reclaim a world championship may have passed. Despite this, Lewis Hamilton retains a contractual option with Ferrari that could allow him to continue racing through the end of 2027, though whether he exercises this clause will depend on his ability to overcome current challenges and regain competitive form.
As Ferrari prepares for the remainder of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the focus will be on how the Briton adapts to the Maranello team’s updates, handles internal pressures, and responds to the evolving championship landscape alongside his teammate Charles Leclerc.
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