Lewis Hamilton left the Formula 1 paddock in Las Vegas sounding increasingly disillusioned with his first year as a Ferrari driver, strengthening the perception that his 2025 campaign has matched the bleak description he has previously given it. The Las Vegas weekend added yet another layer to the growing concern surrounding his form and mindset as the season nears its conclusion.
Ferrari, who narrowly missed out on beating McLaren in the standings last year, are now in a far weaker position and appear destined to finish fourth in the constructors’ championship. The decline has sparked tension within the team, with Ferrari chairman John Elkann directing the spotlight onto Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton rather than addressing the shortcomings in the engineering department or the decisions of team principal Frederic Vasseur.
Lewis Hamilton has yet to score a single Grand Prix podium since joining Ferrari, while Charles Leclerc has still not claimed a race victory in 2025 despite taking seven podium finishes. The lack of progress across the season has heightened scrutiny on both drivers and increased pressure within the team.
The situation came to a head after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton appeared unusually shaken during his post-race media duties. His subdued demeanour prompted journalists to question whether he was even considering an early exit from Formula 1. Although he has a contract with Ferrari beyond 2025, his tone in Las Vegas triggered speculation about his long-term motivation.
Ralf Schumacher believes a comment from Lewis Hamilton sounded like a sign it may be ‘time to stop’
Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Ralf Schumacher explained that one particular remark from Lewis Hamilton caught his attention and made him wonder whether the seven-time world champion may be approaching the end of his F1 journey. The former Formula 1 driver reflected on Ferrari’s past decisions to replace drivers mid-contract and suggested that prestige alone cannot guarantee a seat if performance levels drop.
According to Ralf Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton appeared to realise in Las Vegas that he was reaching his competitive limit, noting that the 40-year-old seemed frustrated by his inability to extract pace from the Ferrari car. Ralf Schumacher said he believed Lewis Hamilton no longer displayed the same natural harmony in braking, accelerating, and executing a clean lap, elements he described as crucial for a driver operating at their peak.
Ralf Schumacher indicated that repeated struggles—combined with Lewis Hamilton’s admission that the harder he pushes, the worse the outcome seems to become—may signal that the sport is moving faster than Hamilton can comfortably adapt to. He suggested that if the final races unfold in a similar fashion, it might be time for Hamilton to consider stepping aside for a younger driver capable of helping Ferrari rebuild for the long term.
A difficult Las Vegas weekend raises more doubts for Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton’s disappointment in Las Vegas was understandable. He became the first Ferrari driver in fifteen years to qualify last for a Grand Prix, the result of a chaotic and deeply frustrating session in which nothing seemed to go right. Although he climbed to tenth place during the race, his final position was only improved by the double disqualification of the McLaren drivers.
His emotional tone in the media pen suggested that he was not even certain about looking forward to the next season with Ferrari, a sentiment that immediately raised alarms for Ralf Schumacher. The former driver believes Hamilton’s remarks indicate that the mental strain of his first season in red is beginning to take a toll.
Lewis Hamilton had previously received guidance from Sebastian Vettel before agreeing to join Ferrari. However, just as Vettel experienced during his own time at Maranello, Hamilton is now confronting the harsh reality that winning with the Scuderia is far more difficult than anticipated. At present, it is hard to envision him adding further achievements to his extraordinary career record unless Ferrari can deliver a much stronger car in the coming year.
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