Lewis Hamilton’s spell with the Maranello team is in danger of being remembered as the most challenging period of his illustrious career unless he can rediscover his pace soon.
The British driver’s high-profile move from Mercedes over the winter was one of the most talked-about transfers in recent Formula 1 history, with fans eager to see him don the famous red racing suit. However, the timing of his arrival has been far from ideal, coinciding with a slight but noticeable dip in Ferrari’s competitiveness.
As things stand, Hamilton sits sixth in the Drivers’ Championship with ten races remaining in his debut season for the Scuderia. Every lap between now and the end of the year will be crucial, as he works with the team to make incremental improvements that could prove vital for 2025.
Ferrari have already begun experimenting with elements intended for Hamilton’s 2026 car, exploring every possible technical direction in pursuit of a machine capable of fighting for the championship. Former F1 driver and commentator Martin Brundle had predicted before the season that Hamilton would need time to fully settle into his new environment, and so far, that forecast has been entirely accurate.
Lewis Hamilton and the cautionary tale of Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari exit
In recent races, the Briton has been working to gain greater influence over his race strategies, aiming to play a more decisive role in determining how his Sundays unfold. The need for control is understandable: if he continues to trail teammate Charles Leclerc and fails to return to winning ways before the introduction of the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations, his long-term prospects could be in jeopardy.
His current deal runs until the end of 2025, with an option to extend into 2027. However, if Ferrari cannot deliver a competitive package — or if he fails to find his best form — there is no guarantee he will take up that extension.
The situation carries echoes of Kimi Raikkonen’s first departure from Ferrari in 2009, when the Finnish driver openly admitted that he was “very happy” to walk away. A lack of performance and an increasingly frustrating political atmosphere within the team contributed to his decision to leave, despite having the option to stay. Speaking years later on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Raikkonen explained that he could have signed with Ferrari again or moved elsewhere, but at the time he had “absolutely zero interest” in remaining in Formula 1 under those conditions.
Comparing Hamilton’s first year at Ferrari to Raikkonen’s 2009 campaign
Through the first 14 races of the 2025 season, Hamilton’s best results have been three fourth-place finishes. In contrast, Kimi Raikkonen — despite driving an uncompetitive car in 2009 — managed five podium finishes over the same span. That year, Ferrari’s car began the season well off the pace, regularly finishing 10th or lower in the opening rounds. Gradual upgrades eventually improved its competitiveness, but it was too late to salvage a title challenge.
For Lewis Hamilton, the development trajectory has been less encouraging. Ferrari’s recent updates, including a new rear suspension package debuted at the Hungarian Grand Prix, have not delivered the desired gains. In fact, the Hungaroring weekend was one of his most difficult since joining the team.
When points are adjusted to the modern scoring system, Kimi Raikkonen had 90 points after 14 races in 2009, compared to Hamilton’s 95 in 2025. The numbers suggest similar struggles, but the feeling inside the cockpit — and the team dynamic — will ultimately determine Hamilton’s outlook.
If Kimi Raikkonen’s departure was fuelled by a combination of poor performance, internal politics, and a loss of motivation, Hamilton will need to ensure that his own Ferrari chapter does not end in the same way. For that to happen, both driver and team must find a way to unlock consistent front-running speed before frustration takes hold.
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