Sebastian Vettel weighs in on Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari move — and warns Fred Vasseur of major challenge. Sebastian Vettel warns that Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari could take longer than expected.

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Transition Could Take Longer Than Expected, Warns Sebastian Vettel

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel developed one of the most iconic rivalries in modern Formula 1 history. Both drivers entered the sport in 2007—Hamilton made an immediate impact with McLaren, while Vettel debuted midway through the season. By the time Hamilton secured his first title in just his second year, Vettel was already turning heads at Toro Rosso, making headlines with a sensational victory at Monza.

While Hamilton endured a challenging spell trying to replicate his early success at McLaren, Vettel ascended to dominance, clinching four consecutive World Championships between 2010 and 2013 with Red Bull. During this period, Hamilton had to watch Vettel command the top step of the podium, but his switch to Mercedes eventually allowed him to turn the tide and embark on a dominant era of his own.

Together, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel shared the podium 56 times—more than any other pairing in the history of the sport. As time went on, any competitive tension between the two gave way to mutual respect. Now, with the British driver having joined Ferrari—just as Sebastian Vettel did in 2015—the seven-time world champion finds himself in a similarly challenging position with the iconic but pressure-filled Italian team.

Vettel Shares Insights on Hamilton’s Ferrari Adaptation
Sebastian Vettel, who spent six seasons with Ferrari, recently spoke about Hamilton’s move to Maranello and what it might take for him to fully adapt. During an appearance on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, the four-time world champion explained that transitioning to a team like Ferrari is far from straightforward.

Vettel acknowledged that while some believe it might take up to half a season for Hamilton to get up to speed, the reality could be more demanding. He suggested it might take even longer, depending on a number of variables. Drawing on his own experience, Sebastian Vettel recalled how everything at Ferrari had felt completely different when he joined—the culture, the people, the language, and the working environment.

He noted that although he personally managed to adapt fairly quickly, every driver responds differently to change. Sebastian Vettel emphasized that Hamilton’s talent and capabilities are beyond question, but stressed that even elite drivers require time to acclimate to a new and complex environment like Ferrari.

According to the former Ferrari driver, nothing has been lost yet. The German believes that if the Italian side manages to make progress in development over the season, the team’s competitiveness could shift dramatically. He also reminded fans that Ferrari were strong last year and narrowly missed out on the Constructors’ Championship, indicating that it’s too early to count them—or their drivers—out of contention.

A Potential Headache for Fred Vasseur
Vettel’s comments will likely give Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur something to think about. The French manager, who previously worked with Lewis Hamilton in GP2, was undoubtedly thrilled when the seven-time world champion agreed to join Ferrari. With the team chasing its first championship title since 2008, signing the most successful driver in F1 history seemed like a major coup.

However, Lewis Hamilton’s adjustment period has proven more difficult than expected. So far, he has struggled to match the pace of his teammate Charles Leclerc, particularly in a Ferrari SF-25 that lacks the outright speed to rival McLaren’s MCL39. Notably, the Briton has requested car setup changes that diverge significantly from the Monegasque’s preferences—an indication that he’s still not entirely comfortable in his new surroundings.

Despite intensive preseason efforts to integrate into the Ferrari system and familiarize himself with the car, Hamilton appears to have underestimated the complexity of the transition. With championship leader Oscar Piastri pulling ahead and Ferrari already trailing McLaren by 110 points in the Constructors’ standings, the pressure is mounting.

Sebastian Vettel’s cautious outlook serves as a reminder that even the best drivers need time to find their footing—and that Ferrari’s path back to championship glory will demand patience, persistence, and perhaps a little more time than initially anticipated.