Scuderia Ferrari British driver Lewis Hamilton is eager to turn his Maranello journey around with a strong start following Formula 1’s summer break.
The seven-time world champion has spent much of the 2025 season grappling with a series of technical and performance issues in the SF25, leaving him sixth in the drivers’ championship standings.
When Hamilton was officially announced as a Ferrari driver last year, fans and pundits alike envisioned him competing for an unprecedented eighth world title. However, as the sport approaches the 2026 regulations, that ambition now feels more distant than ever. Maranello faces mounting pressure to make decisive improvements quickly.
Even Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has publicly highlighted an “extreme” aspect of Hamilton’s approach to racing in recent events, suggesting it could be partly responsible for the difficulties he has faced. The Briton himself is well aware that substantial work is needed if he is to deliver results in line with expectations. While Hamilton might be encouraged by Ferrari’s plans for a “massive” car development next season, rivals could also benefit from the changes, adding extra competition.
James Hinchcliffe explains why ‘no one agrees’ with Lewis Hamilton on one key Ferrari struggle
One significant challenge Hamilton has faced is the loss of a part of his familiar F1 identity. Before moving to Ferrari, he frequently altered his helmet designs, a ritual that once symbolized his personal confidence and focus. On track, minor tweaks and adjustments have failed to produce consistent results, with recurring issues from the power steering to the brakes hampering his progress throughout 2025.
Just weeks before the summer break, Lewis Hamilton openly referred to himself as “useless,” a statement that drew widespread attention and concern about his self-perception. However, former IndyCar driver and F1 analyst James Hinchcliffe has dismissed this self-criticism, emphasizing that “no one agrees” with Hamilton’s harsh self-assessment.
Hinchcliffe told the Red Flag Podcast that nobody believes Lewis Hamilton has lost his driving skills or his competitive edge, aside from Hamilton himself. He added that the adjustment period to the new car and the Ferrari environment has been understandably challenging. Comparisons to George Russell, who faces less experienced teammates, should be viewed cautiously, as Russell has had an exceptional season by his own standards.
“Lewis is taking time to acclimatize to the Ferrari environment and the SF25,” Hinchcliffe explained. “George has had a career-best year, which is saying a lot considering he’s outperformed Lewis head-to-head, in Lewis’ own era and experience. But that doesn’t diminish Lewis’ talent in any way.”
Ferrari’s crucial error in evaluating Lewis Hamilton’s driving style
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was finalized over 18 months before the start of the 2024 season, giving Carlos Sainz ample time to secure a seat at Williams and allowing Ferrari to prepare extensively for the arrival of their new star driver.
However, a winter gamble on the car’s concept failed to deliver the desired performance, forcing the team to chase solutions throughout the season. Retrospectively, Ferrari’s biggest misstep may have been the initial analysis of Hamilton’s driving style. The team assumed his style would align closely with Charles Leclerc, their existing lead driver, but in reality, Hamilton’s approach required a different adaptation strategy, which has only become evident as the season unfolded.
As Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari work to recalibrate ahead of the next season, it remains to be seen how quickly the seven-time champion can regain his momentum and demonstrate the performance level that initially inspired fans and experts alike.
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