Lewis Hamilton made a high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari with the goal of capturing his eighth Formula 1 World Championship and setting a new record in the sport’s history. Yet, his debut season with the Scuderia has so far fallen far short of expectations, marked by struggles and disappointments.
At 40 years old, Lewis Hamilton left his long-time home in Brackley to join Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, following a difficult period in his career. After enduring his first winless campaign in 2022 and recording his worst-ever championship finish in 2024, the move to Maranello was meant to reinvigorate his quest for another title.
Between 2007 and 2021, Hamilton consistently reached the winner’s circle every season, securing at least one Grand Prix victory each year. However, the past two seasons saw a sharp decline, with no wins recorded in either 2022 or 2023. In early 2024, Hamilton signed a lucrative two-year deal reportedly worth £39 million annually with Ferrari, signaling a fresh start for the seven-time champion.
Despite this high-profile move, Lewis Hamilton’s final year at Mercedes ended with a career-low seventh place in the drivers’ championship. Since moving to Ferrari, he has faced continued difficulties, sitting sixth in the 2025 standings with 109 points after 14 rounds.
Notwithstanding these setbacks, key insiders within the Formula 1 paddock maintain confidence in Lewis Hamilton’s potential to return to winning form and ultimately claim an unprecedented eighth world title. Hamilton’s first mid-season break as a Ferrari driver arrives without a single race win or podium finish this year—breaking his longstanding streak of earning a podium within the first ten races of any season.
The core challenge lies in Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari’s 2025 car and team dynamics, which differ significantly from what he experienced during his 12 years at Mercedes. This struggle was highlighted after qualifying twelfth in Hungary, where Hamilton openly questioned his own performance and even suggested that Ferrari might need to consider changing drivers.
Despite falling short of expectations, the 105-time Grand Prix winner is reportedly aware that prominent figures within the sport still believe in his ability to contend for and win the championship that narrowly slipped from his grasp in 2021. During that dramatic finale, Max Verstappen famously overtook Hamilton on the last lap to clinch the title.
Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of an eighth title were significantly affected by the controversial handling of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Former FIA race director Michael Masi’s decisions, including the selective removal of lapped cars under the safety car, dramatically altered the outcome. This allowed Verstappen—who had just pitted for fresh tyres—to launch a last-minute attack that Hamilton was unable to defend against. Verstappen secured the championship by a margin of nine points, delivering a devastating blow to Hamilton.
Since then, the Briton has been determined to regain his championship-winning form, but the shift to ground-effect aerodynamics introduced in 2022 has created ongoing challenges. His traditional driving style, which emphasized late braking and maintaining corner speed, contrasts with the requirements of these new cars, making adaptation difficult.
Consequently, Lewis Hamilton’s first season at the Maranello team has largely become a transitional period focused on preparing for the sweeping technical changes slated for 2026, including major updates to aerodynamics and engine regulations. Looking ahead, Hamilton hopes this historic overhaul of the Formula 1 rulebook will allow him to rediscover the competitive edge he lost after 2021—provided Ferrari can deliver a car capable of challenging at the front.
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