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 reveals some timid indicators of awakening, and the followers will not be as bitter as Inter’s supporters after the beating in Munich.

However instantly the “Lewis Hamilton case” explodes. The seven-time Method 1 world champion, employed by Maranello to revive the crew and supply route for the years forward, is popping out to be a poor copy of what President John Elkann and the opposite executives had anticipated. We’re not those saying it, Lewis Hamilton himself did so after the Barcelona race, through 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 precise phrases have 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.” In brief, a give up.

Let’s be clear: Lewis Hamilton is an efficient individual in addition to an awesome champion. He accepted Ferrari’s problem not for advertising causes, as some wish to imagine, however as a result of he was satisfied he nonetheless had nice playing cards to play, positive he might grow to be a key participant once more, assured he might win. As a substitute, apart from the spark through the Dash race in China, he has solely encountered disappointment.

And moderately 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—despite the fact that it’s staffed by top-tier professionals, beginning with engineer Riccardo Adami, who manages his automobile. However basically, Lewis Hamilton is just not comfy with the SF-25 single-seater. The Briton can’t drive it the best way 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 Method 1 championship, it has not been aggressive, and the same old guarantees about upcoming aerodynamic upgrades that may (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 occasions is relentless, elevating the query of whether or not it’s even attainable for the seven-time Method 1 world champion to compete on equal phrases together 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 battle the place he deserves.

It might 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 inclined to carry out solely after 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 crew have been already skeptical. Lewis Hamilton must get better his morale, spirit, and enthusiasm, assuming he has even managed to understand (and we’ve no info 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 generally diverted by the style world, are we positive Lewis Hamilton has understood Ferrari and that Ferrari has understood him? That’s the actual problem. 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 truthful, gives no ensures?

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