It’s no secret that Lewis Hamilton has not fully aligned with Ferrari. This is common in Formula 1, especially when the legendary Prancing Horse is involved. Lewis Hamilton’s arrival had sparked high expectations—not only among fans but also in the mind of the seven-time world champion himself, eager to move past three disappointing seasons with Mercedes and start fresh. Unfortunately, something went wrong.
The weight of Ferrari’s unkept promises
We have often discussed the SF-25, a car built on a solid foundation but one that failed to meet the immense expectations. With full awareness, it’s fair to call the project a disappointment. The Modenese car was expected to be a game-changer, capable of fighting for both championships. Sadly, reality has been far from the dreams nurtured last winter.
The Ferrari management had sold Hamilton a winning project—a dream that was shattered as early as the pre-season tests in Bahrain. It was a harsh awakening for the British driver, who had envisioned a leading role and the chance to restore the historic prestige of the most iconic motorsport brand in the world. The abrupt reality has significantly battered Lewis Hamilton’s mindset.
For months, he has joined the ranks of disillusioned champions, including Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who, like him, had trusted the promises of the Italian leadership. This is the heart of the matter: Hamilton is living an open-eyed nightmare, enduring a situation he never imagined and coping with it painfully. The mental toll is severe.
Elkann’s response directed at Hamilton
These reflections are not our own speculation but echo Lewis Hamilton’s own latest outburst. As often happens, he expresses his feelings more comfortably through external media rather than the Italian press, where every word is amplified. Recently, his moral reflection reached Italy, resonating with millions of fans.
“It’s a nightmare I’ve been living for some time. Going from the dream of driving for this extraordinary team to the nightmare of our current results is extremely challenging,” Hamilton admitted, leaving no doubt about his state of mind.
John Elkann responded indirectly to Lewis Hamilton. Those who can read between the lines will understand that the remark, “Drivers should speak less and focus more on driving,” was clearly aimed at the British driver. An indirect warning to Ferrari’s most significant investment in F1, whose voice has been too loud. A gesture John Elkann could have easily avoided.
Hamilton’s future also depends on Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton’s mental state has long been a concern for Charles Leclerc as well, who has had his own emotional outbursts. The Monegasque has been able to channel negative emotions into competitive focus, whereas Hamilton seems unable to do the same.
Age is a factor that cannot be ignored, and Lewis Hamilton’s connection with Ferrari is less tangible. Leclerc has committed fully to the team, while Lewis Hamilton seeks a highly efficient, credible, and supportive environment. He does not have the time or patience to chase mere promises. Every moment matters in his career, and there are only so many pages left to write. This is an incontrovertible fact.
It remains to be seen whether Lewis Hamilton’s current psychological state will allow him to generate the energy needed to tackle the 2026 season, regardless of the competitiveness of the Italian car. Ferrari is aware of his mindset, and paying attention to it will be crucial to rescue him from the mental strain he is enduring. For now, it seems Ferrari is failing to respond—a stance that is anything but helpful to the cause.
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