Valtteri Bottas reflects on Lewis Hamilton’s challenging Ferrari debut
Valtteri Bottas has offered his perspective on Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari, a campaign that has proven more difficult than many anticipated. The seven-time world champion has struggled to replicate the dominant form he displayed during his years alongside Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes.
The Finn partnered with Hamilton for four of his six championship-winning seasons in Brackley, from 2017 to 2020, a period widely regarded as the peak of Hamilton’s Formula 1 career. During that time, Valtteri Bottas came to the realization that he could not consistently outperform Hamilton over a full season. Now, with Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, the tables have shifted; the Briton appears at risk of being perceived, at least symbolically, as the number two driver.
Through the 2025 season, the Briton has yet to score a podium, with Charles Leclerc securing all seven of Ferrari’s top-three finishes. The Monegasque driver has contributed nearly 60% of Ferrari’s total points and holds a commanding head-to-head advantage over Lewis Hamilton of 15-3 in races they both finished.
Bottas believed Hamilton would adapt quickly to Ferrari
Back in February 2024, shortly after Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was announced, Valtteri Bottas expressed confidence in the Briton’s adaptability. He noted that Hamilton was capable of adjusting quickly to new machinery and expected him to be competitive from the start.
Valtteri Bottas had said that Hamilton was highly adaptive and should not face significant issues acclimating to the Ferrari SF-25. Indeed, Lewis Hamilton initially showed promise, claiming pole position in just his second qualifying session for the Scuderia and winning the Chinese GP Sprint the following day. However, those early successes proved to be exceptions rather than the norm. While he has gradually closed the gap to Leclerc as the season has progressed, Hamilton has not yet fully settled into the SF-25.
Adaptation taking longer than expected, but Bottas remains optimistic
In a recent interview with Motorsport Brazil, Valtteri Bottas acknowledged that Lewis Hamilton’s adjustment to Ferrari has taken longer than anticipated, but he remains optimistic about the Briton’s potential in the coming seasons. Valtteri Bottas highlighted the challenges Hamilton faces, including adapting to a new team culture, different equipment, and the nuances of working with a team that operates in a distinct language environment.
He emphasized that Hamilton’s long tenure at Mercedes shaped him as a highly integrated team player, making the transition to Ferrari a significant shift. Despite these challenges, The Finn pointed out that Hamilton has occasionally demonstrated his speed, suggesting that 2026 could reveal what he is still capable of achieving.
Valtteri Bottas stated that Lewis Hamilton has already proven his talent and resilience in Formula 1, and he is confident that the seven-time world champion will rebound and perform better in his second season with Ferrari.
Leclerc’s strength should not be underestimated
The future Cadillac driver also reflected on the dynamic between Hamilton and Leclerc. Before the start of the season, he had warned Charles Leclerc that Lewis Hamilton was “extremely fast and consistent.” While critics have noted that Hamilton has struggled to meet expectations this year, Valtteri Bottas highlighted the exceptional talent of Charles Leclerc, reminding fans and pundits not to underestimate the Monegasque driver.
He explained that Charles Leclerc’s performance deserves recognition, noting that the Ferrari driver has proven his speed and consistency, making Hamilton’s adaptation challenge even more pronounced. Valtteri Bottas further pointed out that, while Leclerc has been with Ferrari since 2019, Hamilton has still managed to outqualify him seven times this season, demonstrating that the Briton is far from lacking skill.
Overall, Valtteri Bottas conveyed confidence that Lewis Hamilton will eventually adapt and remain a formidable competitor in Formula 1, reinforcing that both the Ferrari team and their superstar driver have much to offer in the seasons ahead.
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