Lewis Hamilton approaches Abu Dhabi finale after a bruising first season with Ferrari
The conclusion of the 2025 Formula 1 season brings little comfort for Lewis Hamilton, who prepares to close out his debut campaign with Ferrari at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. What was expected to be a triumphant new chapter has instead unfolded into one of the most challenging years of his illustrious career.
For a seven-time Formula 1 world champion like Lewis Hamilton, no season should peak in its opening months — yet that is precisely what happened. His pole position and Sprint Race victory in Shanghai marked a brief moment of optimism for Ferrari fans, but the early success quickly proved to be an isolated spark rather than the foundation of a competitive year. As the season progressed, Ferrari’s performance stagnated, and Hamilton slipped steadily backward in the standings.
Now, as the championship heads to the floodlit finale in Yas Marina, Lewis Hamilton finds himself locked in an unexpected battle with Mercedes newcomer Andrea Kimi Antonelli for sixth place in the drivers’ standings — a far cry from what Ferrari had envisioned when signing one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history.
Ferrari legend Jean Alesi and Ralf Schumacher highlight deeper problems affecting Ferrari
Ferrari icon Jean Alesi recently criticised team principal Fred Vasseur for attributing the struggles of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to the team’s early shift in focus toward the 2026 regulations. Alesi argued that such an explanation only scratched the surface of a broader structural issue affecting Ferrari’s development direction and competitive consistency.
Meanwhile, former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has taken a closer analytical view of Hamilton’s season, identifying what he considers a far more concerning trend. Schumacher believes that Lewis Hamilton has shown little evidence of adjusting his driving style to suit Ferrari’s demanding machinery — a problem that could worsen when Formula 1 introduces its sweeping technical rule changes for 2026.
Ralf Schumacher warns Hamilton’s driving style may prevent future F1 title success
On the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast, Ralf Schumacher explained that Lewis Hamilton arrived at Maranello carrying the ambition of restoring Ferrari to championship contention. However, the German suggested that the lack of pre-season testing, combined with Ferrari’s early pivot toward 2026 development, made such goals extremely difficult from the start.
According to Ralf Schumacher’s analysis, what troubled him most was the absence of progress in the Briton’s adaptation. He indicated that Lewis Hamilton appeared to be chasing the same sensations he relied upon during his last title-winning season, insisting that the British driver still required a car that behaved in a very specific way. Schumacher argued that this was a clear sign that Lewis Hamilton had reached a point where adjusting his driving technique was becoming increasingly difficult.
With the 2026 Formula 1 regulations set to revolutionise aerodynamics, chassis philosophy and power unit behaviour, Ralf Schumacher warned that a driver who struggles to adapt may face even greater challenges. From his perspective, the 2025 campaign had demonstrated that Lewis Hamilton might be better suited to taking on a different, more advisory role within the team rather than continuing as a frontline driver.
Schumacher pushes for Oliver Bearman to take Hamilton’s seat
Ralf Schumacher has doubled down on his belief that Ferrari should promote Oliver Bearman as early as next season. The young British rookie has impressed at Haas — a satellite team traditionally viewed as closely aligned with Ferrari — and has consistently been praised for his maturity, composure and technical feedback.
Ralf Schumacher argued that Ollie Bearman represents “the future,” noting that Ferrari are entering a crucial period in which long-term investment is vital. With the team needing to build a competitive foundation for the 2026 regulation overhaul, the German claimed that focusing on a rising talent like Ollie Bearman would be more beneficial than continuing with a veteran whose peak years may be behind him.
He also drew comparisons to Carlos Sainz, who left Ferrari for Williams and quickly adapted to his new environment, even scoring podium finishes. The former Formula 1 driver suggested that this contrast highlighted the difficulties Lewis Hamilton has faced and underscored why Ferrari should consider looking forward rather than backward.
Charles Leclerc hints at a potential new direction for Lewis Hamilton’s role at Ferrari
An interesting layer to the discussion emerged after comments from Charles Leclerc following the Qatar Grand Prix. The Monegasque suggested that Ferrari should listen more closely to Lewis Hamilton during the development process, implying that the team could harness the Briton’s vast experience more effectively.
This raised the possibility of Lewis Hamilton taking on a more strategic or development-focused position within the team — though convincing a driver still chasing an eighth world championship to accept a background role seems highly unlikely. Still, Charles Leclerc’s remarks emphasised where Lewis Hamilton’s strengths lie: his ability to steer development, identify weaknesses and guide long-term progress.
As Ferrari prepares for the final race of 2025 and looks ahead to the enormous changes coming in 2026, the question becomes whether Lewis Hamilton can adapt his driving style quickly enough to remain a title threat, or whether his greatest value to Ferrari is shifting into another dimension entirely.
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