Ferrari: why Lewis Hamilton faces the same challenge that once undermined Sebastian Vettel

Lewis Hamilton Faces the Same Challenge Sebastian Vettel Experienced at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton’s ongoing struggles at Ferrari have drawn comparisons from a former engineer who worked closely with Sebastian Vettel, noting that the seven-time world champion is encountering a similar issue that troubled Vettel during his time at the Scuderia.

Ferrari identified that Hamilton’s primary difficulty lay in the rear stability of his SF-25, particularly in race trim, a problem that persisted for nearly four months into the 2025 season before the team attempted to address it ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. However, this adjustment did not fully resolve all of Hamilton’s performance challenges. Observers noted that during his later years at Mercedes in Brackley, Hamilton developed a habit of experimenting extensively with car setups on race weekends, often at the cost of valuable practice time.

This tendency has carried over to Ferrari, with Hamilton’s experimentation largely driven by the noticeable performance gap to his teammate, Charles Leclerc. According to a Ferrari insider, this mirrors the way Leclerc’s former teammate, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, approached the car during his tenure at the team.

Sebastian Vettel Struggled at Ferrari Trying to ‘Copy’ Charles Leclerc’s Setups

Charles Leclerc has consistently provided detailed feedback to Ferrari regarding the balance of his SF-25, particularly seeking improvements to the front of the car. Motorsport journalist and Formula 1 expert Roberto Chinchero previously highlighted that Leclerc frequently requests ‘more front wing’ whenever he returns to the pit lane during practice sessions, reflecting his preference for a very pointed, front-biased car.

Former Ferrari engineer Francesco Cigarini offered insight into how Charles Leclerc’s setup preferences have historically affected his teammates and how similar challenges have impacted Hamilton since joining Ferrari at the start of 2025. Cigarini explained that the Monegasque’s setups naturally leave the rear of the car relatively free, requiring a sensitive touch to maintain control. He noted that when Vettel tried to replicate Leclerc’s configurations in pursuit of comparable performance, the results were often unproductive, leaving Vettel looking out of his depth. The same dynamic appears to be affecting Hamilton, according to the engineer, with the Briton reportedly consulting Vettel privately in an attempt to navigate the issue.

Commercial Risks Mount for Ferrari Amid Hamilton’s Struggles

Ferrari experienced a significant commercial boost following the announcement of Hamilton’s arrival ahead of the 2024 season. Beyond the immediate F1 impact, the wider Ferrari brand benefited from increased market capitalization and sponsorship interest. Estimates suggest that Hamilton helped generate approximately £41.8 million in sponsorship deals for Ferrari, with additional revenue expected through merchandising and licensing throughout the 2025 season.

However, the team has been cautioned that Hamilton’s underwhelming results this season could negatively affect these commercial returns. Had the 40-year-old driver consistently competed at the front of the grid, the issue would likely not have emerged.

Despite these challenges, Ferrari remains on course to finish second in the Constructors’ Championship for a second consecutive year, a position that secured the Scuderia £99 million in prize money following the conclusion of the 2024 season. Nevertheless, the ongoing performance struggles of one of the team’s most marketable drivers represent both a sporting and commercial concern for the iconic Italian outfit.