Hamilton’s future on the line: Ferrari holds Lewis’s career in its hands

Lewis Hamilton is increasingly struggling behind the wheel of the Ferrari. The 2025 F1 season is nearing its end, and the British driver’s frustration is palpable, while the regulatory changes coming in 2026 offer a glimmer of hope for both him and the Italian team. What can we expect from the seven-time world champion in the near future? This is the question many are asking when talking about the former Mercedes driver.

Hamilton in 2025, the toughest season of his career

The most recent Grand Prix marked one of the most critical moments in Hamilton’s career. The Briton finished no higher than eighth place, benefiting only from the double McLaren disqualification. But the lowest point came on Saturday, during a wet qualifying session where he struggled significantly. The SF-25 proved extremely difficult to drive, delivering poor feedback through the steering wheel—a truly extreme challenge.

It should be noted that his teammate reached Q3, even if only up to ninth place. The start of the Grand Prix went well, taking full advantage of the chaos off the line. His first stint in the race was also strong, with Hamilton maintaining a solid pace and extending his run on Hard tires. The strategy appeared promising for much of the race.

However, his recovery stalled during the second stint. Even with a competitive pace on the Yellow-marked Pirellis, he could not achieve the desired result. His final team radio was telling, as he asked for guidance from his race engineer regarding Kimi’s position, who started behind him but finished on the podium’s third step, also benefiting from the McLaren penalties.

Strategy and the SF-25 relationship

At this point, Hamilton appeared puzzled while talking over the radio with Riccardo Adami. The engineer’s response was always the same: “We’ll study the data to understand.” Such moments cannot calm a driver who realizes that a team like Mercedes often chooses a more effective race strategy, reading the competitive scenario much better, as seen in Las Vegas.

It cannot be said that Ferrari got the race strategy wrong. Nevertheless, compared to other teams, which occasionally hit the perfect tactical note, Ferrari often seems capped by the pre-race briefing decisions. The same applies when drivers attempt to adapt to the race in real time. There is no avoiding the truth: Lewis’s expectations for 2025 have largely been exhausted.

This is another challenge for Frédéric Vasseur’s team. The Frenchman claims motivation is high and that the team is ready to push its limits over the final two races. However, at least for Lewis Hamilton, the feeling is clear: he is eager to park the SF-25 for the last time and never deal with it again, not even for a TPC test in a few years if he continues racing.

Hamilton’s destiny in Ferrari’s hands

It’s clear: the Ferrari driver hopes to have a competitive car in the next regulatory cycle. That’s all Hamilton needs to regain form and recover the confidence he has lost. Is there mutual trust between the driver and the team? Apparently yes. Lewis has no doubts about the Italian team’s abilities, although it remains to be seen what Ferrari can offer him starting in 2026.

The relationship between Hamilton and the Scuderia was expected to be legendary—a meeting of a modern icon with Formula 1 history. So far, nothing of that has been realized. Instead, fans have witnessed a repeat of a familiar story. Luck may come with the major regulatory changes ahead, which will reset current benchmarks and give Ferrari a chance to rebuild from scratch.

Many believe Lewis Hamilton needs a clear turning point, without which his career could enter a downward trajectory. In many ways, Ferrari holds the key to his future: a judge over the next chapter of a driver who remains fast, intact, and eager to win. His skills will only matter if Maranello provides him with a solid car capable of challenging for victories.