Lewis Hamilton’s late-race radio at Hungaroring adds to Ferrari’s growing challenges. Lewis Hamilton continues to struggle with Ferrari’s SF25 as recent upgrades fail to improve his pace..

Despite currently holding second place in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Ferrari’s position is far from secure given their recent struggles and ongoing performance challenges. The team’s difficulties have become more apparent, especially concerning Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation to the SF25 car. Recent technical upgrades introduced to improve the car have not resolved the issues Hamilton has been facing, raising fears that Ferrari could be forced into operating as a one-car team, much like Red Bull experienced when their second driver struggled to keep pace. If Hamilton’s challenges continue, Ferrari’s hold on second place in the constructors’ standings could be at serious risk as rival teams close the gap.

With key races like the Italian Grand Prix approaching, the pressure is mounting for Ferrari to use the summer break effectively to identify and fix the weaknesses that have prevented Hamilton from delivering consistent results. The seven-time world champion has already been cautioned by former F1 champion Damon Hill, who warned that Lewis Hamilton’s situation could get tougher, suggesting that age may finally be beginning to impact the driver’s performance on track.

Fans and experts alike were surprised by Ferrari’s strategic call at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Hamilton was instructed to lift and coast—essentially managing his pace to conserve the car and make it to the finish. This directive came amid an already struggling race pace, which only highlighted the extent of Hamilton’s difficulties in extracting performance from the SF25.

One key factor contributing to Lewis Hamilton’s poor race day performance was Ferrari’s decision to start him on hard tyres. This strategy required him to run a long first stint and navigate heavy traffic, which compounded his difficulties. Despite these challenges, the Briton’s lack of pace was notable, clearly underscoring the struggles he is currently facing adapting to the car’s behaviour and the evolving race conditions.

Ferrari’s management is growing increasingly concerned that if Hamilton’s form does not improve soon, the team risks being overtaken in the constructors’ championship by ambitious competitors. Hamilton’s own post-race communication reflected his awareness of the team’s predicament, as he expressed regret for the lost points over the radio, acknowledging that the weekend’s outcome was disappointing and far below expectations.

Former Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has expressed cautious optimism about Hamilton’s prospects in the second half of the 2025 season. While Domenicali believes Hamilton will eventually find his form and deliver stronger results, he also warned that failure to do so will raise serious questions about the driver’s future with the team beyond this year.

Lewis Hamilton’s 12th-place finish in Hungary marked his first race finish without scoring points for Ferrari, equalling his worst recent results—specifically matching his performance at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A similarly disappointing finish at the Qatar Grand Prix last year, during his time at Mercedes, also resulted in a 12th place. These patterns indicate a concerning lull in Lewis Hamilton’s recent race form.

The timing of the summer break is therefore crucial. With a demanding second half of the season looming, featuring 10 races within just over 13 weeks, the Briton and Ferrari will need to regroup and recharge. The intense schedule will test teams’ endurance, reliability, and adaptability, and Ferrari’s ability to capitalize on recent car upgrades could prove decisive—if they can fully understand and implement the enhancements effectively.