Lewis Hamilton’s Struggles at Ferrari Continue After Canadian Grand Prix Disappointment
Lewis Hamilton’s wait for a podium finish with Ferrari continues, as the British driver once again failed to crack the top three at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix. Despite the fanfare surrounding his move to the Maranello-based team, Hamilton remains without a podium after 10 rounds in the Formula 1 2025 season—a personal first in his illustrious career.
For the seven-time world champion, the transition to life at Ferrari has proven more difficult than anticipated. While his performances have not been catastrophic, Hamilton has yet to fully connect with the SF-25, a car that has so far struggled to give him the confidence and balance he seeks. Since a disappointing Q2 elimination at Imola, Hamilton has managed to consistently compete within the top six, but the results remain far below the expectations set at the start of the year.
Hopes were high over the winter that Hamilton would instantly elevate Ferrari’s performance and push for the championship. However, his campaign already appears to be falling apart. After finishing sixth in Montreal, Lewis Hamilton now trails Oscar Piastri by a daunting 119 points in the drivers’ standings, all but ending his 2025 title ambitions. Despite outqualifying Charles Leclerc—who made a costly mistake in Q3—Hamilton ultimately finished behind his teammate in the race, contributing to Ferrari’s total haul of 18 points.
Heading into the Canadian Grand Prix, Ferrari were second in the constructors’ standings, but have since slipped behind Mercedes, who secured a double podium. Although Ferrari have generally operated with the fourth-fastest car in the field this year, they’ve benefited from Red Bull’s inconsistency, with only one of their drivers regularly performing at a competitive level.
Behind the scenes, Ferrari are working hard to rectify their 2025 issues. However, Hamilton’s growing frustration with the team’s internal operations is becoming increasingly apparent. The British driver has voiced concerns about the Scuderia’s engineering approach and development direction.
Hamilton Frustrated With Ferrari’s Development Approach and Lack of Flexibility
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has attempted to downplay the role of upgrades in the team’s underperformance, insisting that development alone is not the root of their problems. But Hamilton appears to disagree. He has repeatedly called for updates both before and after the race in Montreal, with a particular focus on a long-awaited suspension upgrade. The change, he believes, would allow him to lower the car’s ride height—something he has struggled to do since his disqualification at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
During the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton once again expressed discontent over team radio, complaining of a lack of rear grip. At 40 years old, he continues to demand more from the car while battling both technical limitations and a new working environment that he is yet to fully adjust to.
Internally, Ferrari are facing their own turbulence. Fred Vasseur is under increasing pressure to justify his leadership, though Hamilton has remained loyal to the Frenchman, who played a key role in bringing him to Maranello. However, reports suggest that the former Mercedes driver is dissatisfied with Ferrari’s factory processes.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Hamilton has been open about his difficulties adapting to Ferrari’s engineering culture. Having spent his entire Formula 1 career with British teams powered by Mercedes—namely McLaren and Mercedes-AMG Petronas—Hamilton is now confronting a vastly different structure in Italy. Ferrari’s methodologies are unique and, in Hamilton’s view, overly rigid.
Rather than directly criticizing Ferrari management, Hamilton has described the team’s operational framework as “too narrow” for his preferences. In Montreal, he acknowledged that he is frequently clashing with engineers over strategic and setup decisions, pointing to a growing disconnect between the team and its star signing. His calls for more flexible and creative approaches at the factory underline just how far Ferrari and Hamilton must go to align their visions.
Questions Mount Over Lewis Hamilton’s Form and Future in F1
The challenges facing Lewis Hamilton in 2025 have reignited debate over whether the veteran still possesses the raw pace and racecraft that once made him nearly unbeatable. After a disappointing start to the year and mounting frustrations within the Maranello team, some observers have begun to question whether age is playing a factor.
Rising star Isack Hadjar recently commented that Lewis Hamilton may have lost a certain “superpower” that once made him “mighty” in wheel-to-wheel battles. While such remarks have fueled speculation about the 40-year-old’s competitiveness, others remain confident in Hamilton’s abilities. Former rival Nico Rosberg, for example, has pushed back against criticisms made by Martin Brundle, asserting that Lewis Hamilton still has the killer instinct reminiscent of Formula 1 greats like Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen.
The Briton himself seems torn between the present and the future. While he continues to lobby for upgrades to the SF-25 in an effort to remain competitive this season, he has also begun urging Ferrari to prioritize preparations for the 2026 regulation overhaul. It’s a delicate balancing act—his heart is committed to turning things around in 2025, but his head is already looking ahead to the next era of Formula 1.
As the 2025 F1 season unfolds, Lewis Hamilton’s journey at Ferrari remains one of the most compelling storylines. Whether he can adapt, overcome internal challenges, and reestablish himself as a title contender remains uncertain—but one thing is clear: both the British driver and the Italian side must evolve quickly if they hope to achieve the success that once seemed inevitable.
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