Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 2025: Car problems and team views cause struggles

Lewis Hamilton has had a tough start at Ferrari in 2025, with fewer points than his teammate. This is a big change from his past success.
By Newsroom | Formula 1, Ferrari |

Unsettled Start for Hamilton at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton, a celebrated seven-time world champion, has experienced a turbulent beginning to his tenure with Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 season. While initial testing showed promise with him achieving second on the timesheets, subsequent events have brought questions about the car's performance and team communication to the forefront. This period has seen Hamilton express concerns and the team principal offer a differing perspective, creating a complex narrative around his adaptation.

F1 LIVE - Ferrari admits ‘issue’ as Lewis Hamilton sent firm message in F1 testing - 1

Context of Hamilton's Ferrari Move

Hamilton's transition to Ferrari, after a lengthy and successful period with Mercedes, was heralded as a significant event in Formula 1. The 2025 season marked the start of this new chapter. Early in the year, during Bahrain testing in March, Hamilton's performance was encouraging. However, by mid-season, particularly around the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, his performance had notably declined, with him finishing 12th. This contrast, alongside remarks about unspecified "background" issues at Ferrari, has fueled speculation. The sport observed its traditional mid-season summer break in late August, with the Dutch Grand Prix scheduled for August 29-31.

Read More: Aston Martin testing stopped by Honda engine problems in Bahrain

F1 LIVE - Ferrari admits ‘issue’ as Lewis Hamilton sent firm message in F1 testing - 2

Evidence of Performance and Team Concerns

Reports indicate a divergence in how issues are perceived within the Ferrari camp.

F1 LIVE - Ferrari admits ‘issue’ as Lewis Hamilton sent firm message in F1 testing - 3

  • Technical Difficulties: Ferrari has acknowledged an "issue" with the car that they are actively working to resolve. This was noted as early as April 2025. This issue reportedly affects the car's ability to run stiff on high fuel, potentially costing performance.

  • Hamilton's Statements: Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton alluded to "a lot going on in the background that's not great". He also admitted "relief" at discovering a car issue that "massively" hindered his Spanish Grand Prix performance, where he finished sixth after starting fifth.

  • Team Principal's Perspective: Fred Vasseur, Ferrari's team principal, has suggested that Hamilton "sometimes exaggerates the problems he sees". Vasseur believes Hamilton can be "too hard" on both himself and the car, leading to "extreme" reactions.

  • Performance Gaps: Data shows a significant gap between Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc. Hamilton is substantially behind championship leader Oscar Piastri and also trails Leclerc in the drivers' standings. His performance in Hungary was his worst in 15 years, and he had yet to register a podium for Ferrari after 14 races.

Divergent Views on Hamilton's Challenges

The situation highlights differing interpretations of the difficulties Hamilton is facing at Ferrari.

F1 LIVE - Ferrari admits ‘issue’ as Lewis Hamilton sent firm message in F1 testing - 4

Hamilton's Acknowledgement of Issues

  • Hamilton confirmed an "issue" with the Ferrari car that engineers were working to fix, as reported in April.

  • He expressed relief after discovering a technical problem that significantly impacted his performance at the Spanish Grand Prix, leading to a sixth-place finish.

  • His comments following the Hungarian Grand Prix pointed towards underlying problems, stating, "There's a lot going on in the background that's not great."

Vasseur's Assessment of Hamilton's Reactions

  • Vasseur has publicly stated that Hamilton "exaggerates problems" and has "extreme" reactions.

  • He feels Hamilton is "too hard" on the car and himself, implying that his outward expressions of concern might amplify perceived issues.

  • Vasseur believes these "extreme outbursts in the media only making things 'worse'".

Rumors and Speculation

Whispers within the paddock suggest that Ferrari's car may have a fundamental problem. Specifically, it is rumored that the car cannot operate with stiff suspension when carrying a high fuel load. This forces the car to be set higher than drivers prefer, leading to a loss of performance. While Ferrari has not publicly detailed specific issues, the acknowledgment of an "issue" and Hamilton's consistent remarks about underlying problems fuel such speculation.

Expert Analysis and External Commentary

The challenges faced by Hamilton have drawn attention from those outside the team. Bernie Ecclestone, a former F1 boss, has reportedly urged Hamilton to consider retiring if his dream of an eighth title with Ferrari is faltering. This sentiment suggests a broader concern about Hamilton's current trajectory and Ferrari's ability to provide a competitive car for a championship bid. Ferrari's signing of Hamilton was framed as a long-term project, with assurances of support for his adaptation to a new car.

Read More: Lewis Hamilton Changes His Team Around Him for Ferrari

Findings and Implications

Lewis Hamilton's initial season with Ferrari has been marked by reported technical issues with the car and a perceived disparity in how these challenges are communicated and handled.

  • Confirmed Technical Issue: Ferrari has acknowledged a technical "issue" that requires resolution.

  • Hamilton's Public Statements: Hamilton has publicly voiced concerns about "background" problems and confirmed issues impacting his race performance.

  • Team Principal's Counterpoint: Fred Vasseur suggests Hamilton's reactions can be exaggerated, creating unnecessary negativity.

  • Performance Lag: Hamilton has struggled to achieve podiums and lags behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc, in the 2025 standings.

The situation implies a need for clearer communication and a unified approach within Ferrari to address both the technical shortcomings of the car and the psychological impact on a high-profile driver. The long-term project of integrating Hamilton appears to be facing significant hurdles that extend beyond simple adaptation to a new environment.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What problems is Lewis Hamilton facing at Ferrari in the 2025 season?
Lewis Hamilton is facing car issues and different views within the Ferrari team. He has mentioned "background" problems and confirmed a technical issue that hurt his performance.
Q: How does Ferrari's team boss see Hamilton's complaints?
Ferrari's team boss, Fred Vasseur, believes Hamilton sometimes "exaggerates" problems and can be too hard on himself and the car. He feels Hamilton's reactions can make things worse.
Q: How is Hamilton performing compared to his teammate Charles Leclerc?
Lewis Hamilton is behind his teammate Charles Leclerc in the 2025 driver standings. He has struggled to get on the podium, with his performance in Hungary being his worst in 15 years.
Q: What is the specific car issue that Ferrari has acknowledged?
Ferrari has confirmed an "issue" with the car that they are working to fix. Rumors suggest the car has trouble running stiff on high fuel, which costs performance.
Q: What do outside experts think about Hamilton's situation at Ferrari?
Some experts, like former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, have suggested Hamilton might consider retiring if his goal of winning an eighth title with Ferrari is not looking possible.
Q: What happens next for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari?
Ferrari needs to fix the car issues and improve communication to help Hamilton adapt. The team's long-term plan with Hamilton is facing significant challenges that need to be overcome.