is Lewis Hamilton changing into an issue for Ferrari?

June 8, 2025

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Charles Leclerc is again on the rostrum, this time on the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona, and turns into the one non-McLaren driver to get a number of podiums over the triple-header in Imola, Monaco and Spain. Ferrari lastly climbs again to second place within the Constructors’ Championship, the automobile exhibits some timid indicators of awakening, and the followers aren’t as bitter as Inter’s supporters after the beating in Munich.

However immediately the “Lewis Hamilton case” explodes. The seven-time System 1 world champion, employed by Maranello to revive the workforce and supply path for the years forward, is popping out to be a poor copy of what President John Elkann and the opposite executives had anticipated. We aren’t those saying it, Lewis Hamilton himself did so after the Barcelona race, during which he completed sixth with out ever being in rivalry for the rostrum regardless of ranging from fourth place, succumbing to unhappiness in entrance of Sky UK’s microphones. His actual phrases had been the next: “It was a foul day, it was horrible, I don’t know what to say, it’s in all probability simply my fault.” Briefly, a give up.

Let’s be clear: Lewis Hamilton is an efficient particular person in addition to an excellent champion. He accepted Ferrari’s problem not for advertising and marketing causes, as some wish to consider, however as a result of he was satisfied he nonetheless had nice playing cards to play, positive he may grow to be a key participant once more, assured he may win. As a substitute, except for the spark throughout the Dash race in China, he has solely encountered disappointment.

And somewhat than fading, this disappointment continues, dragging him right into a vicious cycle from which it appears he can’t escape.

Compared to Charles Leclerc, he has constantly misplaced out when it comes to each velocity and technique. Sometimes, misunderstandings with the Ferrari pit wall have surfaced—although it’s staffed by top-tier professionals, beginning with engineer Riccardo Adami, who manages his automobile. However essentially, Lewis Hamilton will not be comfortable with the SF-25 single-seater. The Briton can’t drive it the way in which he desires, not like Charles Leclerc, who at all times manages to adapt to the Ferrari’s limitations, maybe as a result of he’s used to compensating for years of shortcomings and struggling.

And what about Ferrari? Within the first 9 races of the 2025 System 1 championship, it has not been aggressive, and the standard guarantees about upcoming aerodynamic upgrades that can (perhaps) enhance efficiency have resurfaced. This rhetoric does nothing to assist Lewis Hamilton’s frustration, his straightforwardness, or his want for clear solutions. His phrases convey concern and even self-doubt, as a result of the comparability with Charles Leclerc’s lap instances is relentless, elevating the query of whether or not it’s even potential for the seven-time System 1 world champion to compete on equal phrases along with his Maranello teammate.

We’re much less uncertain than Lewis Hamilton, maybe as a result of we benefit from distance. In our view, when Ferrari offers him a aggressive automobile, the British driver will have the ability to strike again, scare his rivals, and combat the place he deserves.

It could be true that the SF-25 doesn’t go well with his driving model, however it’s equally true that nice champions, particularly these of a sure age, are likely to carry out solely once they have a automobile able to successful. Examples abound.

What issues is that Ferrari should act quick to “save Personal Lewis,” as a result of he’s an funding that can’t and should not fail, even when, on the time of his transfer from Mercedes to Maranello, some inside the workforce had been already skeptical. Lewis Hamilton must recuperate his morale, spirit, and enthusiasm, assuming he has even managed to know (and we’ve no data on this) the Ferrari mindset, the Italian mind-set, and the uniquely Maranello logic, which is usually elusive and convoluted, particularly for an Englishman.

Surrounded by consideration and typically diverted by the style world, are we positive Lewis Hamilton has understood Ferrari and that Ferrari has understood him? That’s the actual subject. Alongside one essential query: are we sure that the British driver, after this troubled begin, is actually able to face 2026—a season that, as of now and this is applicable to everybody, to be honest, gives no ensures?

We have now limitless respect for Lewis Hamilton; few drivers match his mental depth and analytical expertise. He should discover inside himself the power to endure these difficulties. However Ferrari should additionally do its half technically, by abandoning the fallacious decisions that led to this tough begin. In the event that they enhance collectively, we’ll see the actual Lewis Hamilton once more. If not, Ferrari will face one more rebuild, and Lewis Hamilton will probably be left with the remorse of getting thrown away what ought to have been the triumphant finale to a unprecedented profession. However there may be nonetheless time—earlier than anybody, together with us, attracts hasty conclusions.