Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 season was perhaps the most difficult of his entire career. But according to Jock Clear, history teaches us not to judge too quickly.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut in the 2025 World Championship turned out to be far more complicated than expected and inevitably attracted criticism and doubts about his future. However, stepping in to defend the seven-time world champion is Jock Clear, who urges observers to look at Ferrari’s history and the precedent set by Michael Schumacher before making any rushed judgments.
A difficult debut, but not an unprecedented one
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari had been met with enormous expectations, but the season ultimately proved to be disappointing. For the first time in his career, the British driver failed to secure even a single podium finish, ending the championship in sixth place in what was statistically the worst season of his Formula 1 career.
Such a level of performance naturally sparked criticism and raised questions about his long-term competitiveness. However, Jock Clear reminded everyone that even the greatest drivers in history needed time before truly making their mark at Maranello.
“I would like to remind people that when Michael (Schumacher) arrived at Ferrari, it took the team five years before winning anything,” Jock Clear explained. “These things don’t happen overnight.”
“Hamilton will not give up”
According to Lewis Hamilton’s former engineer, the complexity of the Ferrari project is often underestimated from the outside. “It’s reassuring to remember just how difficult Formula 1 really is,” he added. “If Lewis had arrived and immediately won his eighth title, it would almost have diminished the sport.”
Jock Clear also referred to more recent examples to reinforce his argument. “Look at Carlos Sainz at Williams: after just a few races, many people were asking what was going on. By the end of the year, however, the picture was completely different.”
Despite the frustration surrounding a complicated 2025 season, Jock Clear is convinced that Lewis Hamilton will not walk away. “Lewis just needs time. He will not give up because this season has been difficult. He knew from the very beginning that it would be an extremely tough challenge, and he will come back stronger and more determined, working on development to see the Ferrari project through,” he concluded.
The defense from a veteran voice like Jock Clear highlights a crucial reality: the marriage between a legendary driver and an iconic team like Ferrari rarely finds instant success. While the statistics of 2025 might look dire on paper, the historical context of Michael Schumacher’s slow-burn success at Maranello suggests that the real story of the Hamilton era is likely still being written. As the focus shifts toward the development of the 2026 car, the determination within the garage to prove the critics wrong may become the very fuel Lewis Hamilton needs to reignite his championship form.
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