Lewis Hamilton endured a challenging debut season with Ferrari in 2025, leaving fans and pundits questioning whether the seven-time world champion could adapt to the Scuderia. After a career spanning 19 years at the pinnacle of Formula 1, Hamilton’s move to Maranello in February 2024—following two consecutive winless seasons with Mercedes—had generated high expectations. Yet, the first year in red proved to be his most difficult, raising doubts about his long-term prospects in Formula 1 and with Ferrari.
The 41-year-old Briton started his Ferrari journey with a promising F1 Sprint victory in China during the second round of the season, having started from pole position. However, that early highlight would remain a rare bright spot. Throughout 24 Grands Prix and six Sprint races, Lewis Hamilton was unable to secure a single Grand Prix podium, a first in his illustrious career. Over the course of the season, he accumulated just 156 points, finishing sixth in the drivers’ standings—a career-low tally under the points system introduced in 2010. In contrast, teammate Charles Leclerc amassed 242 points and claimed seven podiums, further emphasizing the gap between the two drivers.
Ferrari evaluates Hamilton’s future amid rising doubts
Sources now suggest that internal doubts regarding Lewis Hamilton’s place at Ferrari have grown significantly, with team principal Fred Vasseur reportedly beginning to consider potential replacements. Ferrari is said to be monitoring several promising young drivers, including McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as Haas driver Oliver Bearman, as part of its long-term succession planning. For Hamilton, the upcoming 2026 F1 season offers a critical opportunity to reset expectations. The new technical regulations may provide a car better suited to his driving style, allowing him to reclaim his status at Ferrari. However, the Italian media reports that another underwhelming season could signal the end of Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 career, prompting him to pursue goals “far removed” from both Ferrari and the sport itself.
2025 struggles and on-track challenges
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Lewis Hamilton increasingly appeared dejected as difficulties compounded. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, he qualified only 12th while Charles Leclerc secured pole position, fueling speculation that Ferrari might consider changing drivers. Over the course of the season, the Briton failed to reach Q3 on nine occasions, reflecting ongoing struggles with single-lap pace. After the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, he described his situation at Ferrari as a “nightmare,” following a collision with Alpine’s Franco Colapinto that forced him to retire. The challenges continued, culminating in Hamilton qualifying last on pure pace for the first time in his career at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Single-lap performance remained a significant issue for Lewis Hamilton in the closing rounds of 2025, as he failed to progress beyond Q1 in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. Of the final 12 Grands Prix of the season, Lewis Hamilton managed to finish higher than P6 only once, taking fourth place in Texas. This stark contrast with Charles Leclerc’s consistently strong performances highlighted both the adaptation challenges the Briton faced in Ferrari’s SF-25 and the pressure mounting on the seven-time world champion to deliver results.
Looking ahead to 2026
Despite the hardships of 2025, Lewis Hamilton remains determined to turn the narrative around in 2026. With new regulations reshaping the Formula 1 grid, Lewis Hamilton hopes that Ferrari will provide him with a car capable of unlocking his full potential. The upcoming season represents a pivotal moment for both driver and team: for the Briton, it is a chance to restore confidence and prove that he can still compete at the front; for Ferrari, it is an opportunity to validate the strategic gamble of signing one of the most successful drivers in F1 history. Should Hamilton struggle once more, speculation suggests he may redirect his ambitions toward roles beyond the cockpit, leveraging his global influence and experience in motorsport for new ventures outside Ferrari and Formula 1.
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