Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season has been met with challenges, as the seven-time world champion grapples with adapting to his new team and machinery. Despite a promising start with a sprint race victory in China, Hamilton’s overall performance has been underwhelming, raising questions about his future trajectory in the sport.
Season Overview: Hamilton’s Performance So Far
After five rounds, Hamilton sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship with 31 points. His race finishes are as follows:
-
Australian Grand Prix: 10th place (1 point)
-
Chinese Grand Prix: Disqualified from the main race after winning the sprint (8 points)
-
Japanese Grand Prix: 7th place (6 points)
-
Bahrain Grand Prix: 5th place (10 points)
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: 7th place (6 points)
In contrast, teammate Charles Leclerc has consistently outperformed Hamilton, securing a podium finish in Saudi Arabia and accumulating 47 points, placing him fifth in the standings.
Hamilton’s Reflections on His Struggles
Hamilton has candidly discussed his difficulties in adapting to the Ferrari SF-25. He described the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as particularly challenging, stating he felt “uncomfortable” throughout the race and struggled with understeer and tire degradation. Hamilton acknowledged the need to analyze data alongside Leclerc to improve his performance.
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains optimistic, expressing hope that he and Ferrari can “ride the rollercoaster” to success. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and collaboration with the team to overcome current challenges.
Pundit Perspectives: Martin Brundle’s Analysis
Renowned F1 commentator Martin Brundle has expressed skepticism regarding Hamilton’s explanations for his underperformance. Brundle questioned the notion that Hamilton’s struggles are solely due to unfamiliarity with the car, pointing out that other drivers have adapted more swiftly to new teams or machinery. He described Hamilton’s situation as a “very hard watch,” highlighting the stark contrast between his current form and past dominance.
Ferrari’s Support and Future Outlook
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has publicly supported Hamilton, acknowledging the challenges of transitioning to a new team and car. Vasseur emphasized that Hamilton’s dissatisfaction with his performance is a positive sign, indicating his drive to improve. He affirmed that both Hamilton and Leclerc are working closely to enhance the car’s performance and adapt to its characteristics.
As the season progresses, Hamilton’s focus will be on extracting more performance from the SF-25 and closing the gap to his teammate and the front-runners. With his experience and determination, Hamilton aims to overcome these early-season hurdles and contribute significantly to Ferrari’s campaign.
