Lewis Hamilton’s difficult season with Ferrari continues, as the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion searches for a breakthrough in 2025. However, reports suggest that his recent actions may have caused friction within the team, raising concerns about internal dynamics at Maranello.
The 40-year-old driver is still without a podium finish in the iconic red colours, putting him at risk of surpassing Kimi Raikkonen as the latest Ferrari driver to go an entire season without a top-three finish. This would also mark an unprecedented low in Hamilton’s F1 career, emphasizing the struggles he has faced since joining the Scuderia. Technical difficulties with the SF-25 and a reportedly strained relationship with race engineer Riccardo Adami have compounded his challenges.
While Hamilton has consistently extracted strong performance during practice sessions, this form has rarely translated into qualifying and race results. The Briton has been labelled a “Friday world champion” for his practice pace, yet he has struggled to deliver when it counts most on Saturdays and Sundays. This pattern was particularly evident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where the Briton appeared to create the illusion of Ferrari’s competitiveness by topping FP2. Despite this, he was eliminated in Q2 and could only advance to an eighth-place finish on race day.
Team order issues at Baku spark warnings of internal conflict
The Azerbaijan GP highlighted further challenges for Ferrari, as the team secured just six points while Mercedes leapfrogged them in the championship standings. George Russell earned a podium for the Silver Arrows, and Kimi Antonelli finished fourth, leaving Hamilton trailing behind his main rivals.
Hamilton struggled with rear-end balance throughout the Baku race, a recurring issue this season. In an attempt to gain ground, he was allowed to overtake teammate Charles Leclerc, but the twisty layout of the Baku circuit and the turbulent air behind other cars limited his progress. Approaching the finish line, he was instructed to return the position to Leclerc but finished ahead, citing a misjudgment of his speed at the line and promising it would not happen again. Charles Leclerc reportedly remained unfazed by the incident.
According to a report from Blick, the consequences of Hamilton’s actions may be more serious than initially thought. It is suggested that his decision to disobey team orders “shattered” harmony within Ferrari, potentially setting the stage for conflict with Leclerc at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix. Ferrari will be eager to restore internal cohesion as they aim to recover after losing second place in the constructors’ standings to Mercedes.
History of team order conflicts at Ferrari
Ferrari’s struggles with managing team orders between the two Maranello drivers are not new. Throughout 2025, there have been multiple clashes over radio communications, with the Miami GP being the most notable example. Ferrari delayed decisions about allowing Hamilton to pass Leclerc on a faster tire compound, and when the move was finally permitted, Lewis Hamilton could not capitalize before being asked to return the position. Frustrated, Lewis Hamilton reportedly criticized Ferrari’s decision-making over the radio, highlighting the ongoing tension between driver autonomy and team strategy.
Unlike past Ferrari greats such as Michael Schumacher, who rarely publicly questioned the team, Hamilton has been openly critical in his efforts to address operational challenges and improve performance. Despite his experience and professionalism, the team has frequently been left with unresolved questions following these incidents, highlighting the delicate balance Ferrari must maintain between managing two high-profile drivers and maximizing results on track.
As the 2025 season progresses, Ferrari faces mounting pressure to manage both Hamilton’s frustrations and Leclerc’s championship ambitions, ensuring that internal conflicts do not further compromise their performance in a highly competitive Formula 1 campaign.
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