Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has arguably been one of the most challenging of his illustrious career. The seven-time world champion has struggled to adapt to the car, and his results reflect a combination of mechanical limitations and on-track incidents. Teammate Charles Leclerc has not enjoyed much better fortune, with both drivers often compromised by Ferrari’s underperforming machinery. Despite still being in the hunt for second place in the constructors’ championship with three races remaining, the team’s overall form has been a marked downgrade compared to last year.
Lewis Hamilton’s three-year contract with Ferrari means the team has ample opportunity to leverage his vast experience, but recent races have underscored the difficulties faced by the British driver. After a turbulent Brazilian Grand Prix, The seven-time Formula 1 world champion was described as driving aggressively, resulting in a messy race and ultimately a retirement. Veteran analyst Marc Surer noted that Hamilton’s performance on the day reflected the pressures and frustrations of adapting to Ferrari’s challenging car.
Ferrari chairman John Elkann publicly criticised both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following the Sao Paulo GP, urging them to “focus more on driving” and make fewer public complaints. The remarks sparked debate among F1 fans and commentators, with many defending the drivers. The Tifosi, in particular, showed support for the Briton, pushing back against the chairman’s public reproach.
Sky Sports F1 pundit Jenson Button advised John Elkann to lead by example rather than chastise his drivers. Adding to the discussion, Karun Chandhok shared his analysis, asserting that the core issue lies not with the drivers but with the Ferrari car itself. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Chandhok highlighted that if Ferrari’s 2025 car had been on par with McLaren’s performance this year, both Hamilton and Leclerc would likely have been serious contenders for victories and potentially the championship.
Chandhok emphasised that “the root of Ferrari’s problem is that the car hasn’t been fast enough this year,” reinforcing the view that machinery shortcomings, rather than driver error, have defined Ferrari’s struggles. His comments shed light on the internal and external pressures faced by the team as it seeks to regroup and improve its competitiveness ahead of the 2026 season.
As the season draws to a close, the spotlight remains firmly on Ferrari to address these performance issues, maximize the potential of its star drivers, and restore the Scuderia’s reputation as a top-tier Formula 1 team capable of challenging for wins and titles.
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