Lewis Hamilton’s sensational switch to Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season was more than just a headline—it was a seismic shift in the world of motorsport. It brought together one of F1’s most successful drivers with its most legendary team, sparking excitement, curiosity, and nostalgia in equal measure.
Yet, five races into the season, the reality isn’t quite living up to the dream. Struggles with performance, car issues, and disappointing race results have turned the fairy tale into something of a nightmare. So, did Lewis make the wrong move?
Hamilton’s Ferrari Start: A Rocky Beginning
For a man so used to running at the front of the grid, life in red hasn’t been easy. Hamilton’s best Grand Prix result so far is a fifth-place finish in Bahrain. Beyond that, it’s been a mix of low points finishes, disqualification, and visible frustration on and off the track.
While he did take victory in the sprint race in China, it remains his only real highlight of the season. In the main events, he’s struggling to extract performance from the Ferrari SF-25, a car that many describe as “difficult to drive” and inconsistent.
Recent Race Results: Hamilton’s 2025 Season So Far
| Grand Prix | Date | Qualifying Position | Race Finish | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 16 March 2025 | 10th | 10th | 1 |
| China (Sprint) | 22 March 2025 | 1st | 1st | 8 |
| China (Main Race) | 23 March 2025 | 8th | DSQ | 0 |
| Japan | 6 April 2025 | 7th | 7th | 6 |
| Bahrain | 13 April 2025 | 9th | 5th | 10 |
| Saudi Arabia | 20 April 2025 | 7th | 7th | 6 |
Despite the optimism that surrounded his arrival at Ferrari, the results speak for themselves. Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, has already outpaced him in both qualifying and race day performances.
Adapting to the SF-25: Not as Easy as It Looks
Hamilton has admitted the car has been challenging to adapt to. Issues with understeer, tyre degradation, and inconsistent cornering have plagued his weekends. Despite working closely with his engineers to find the right balance, results have been limited.
Ferrari’s cars have long had a reputation for being finicky and technically unique. Even Sebastian Vettel, another multiple-time world champion, struggled to extract consistent results from a similar setup during his stint in red.
Is Age a Factor?
Hamilton is now 40. While age alone doesn’t make a racing driver slow—see Fernando Alonso as a prime example—it does add a layer of scrutiny. Reactions slow a fraction, recovery takes longer, and the hunger to spend late nights in the simulator might start to wane.
That said, Hamilton’s commitment is clearly still there. His fitness remains elite, and he speaks with determination about turning the situation around. But questions are being asked, and for the first time in a long time, Lewis Hamilton looks human.
Team Dynamics: Pressure Inside and Out
Ferrari is not a team known for calm waters. The pressure from Italian media, the weight of expectation from the Tifosi, and internal politics can make Maranello a pressure cooker.
While publicly the team stands behind Hamilton, behind the scenes, there’s no doubt they’ll be expecting him to deliver soon. When your name is Lewis Hamilton, mediocrity isn’t an option. If results don’t improve, whispers of discontent could quickly become roars.
Leclerc’s stronger performances also add to the pressure. Though the two drivers get along well, there’s no denying that Hamilton is being outshone by the Monegasque—and that’s bound to sting.
Did Lewis Hamilton Make a Mistake?
Let’s address the question directly—was leaving Mercedes for Ferrari the wrong move?
From a purely competitive standpoint, it’s looking shaky. Mercedes might not be title contenders anymore, but they’ve shown more stability than Ferrari in recent seasons. Hamilton could have stayed, been the centre of their rebuild, and potentially added a few more wins to his record.
But emotionally and historically, the Ferrari move made sense. Every great wants to drive for Ferrari. Winning with them would be the ultimate legacy boost—arguably even more impressive than his seven world titles.
Right now, though, that legacy is under threat of a bruising final chapter.
Can He Turn Things Around?
Absolutely—never count out Lewis Hamilton.
There’s plenty of the season still to go. Tracks like Silverstone, Singapore, and Monza still offer opportunities for big points. Ferrari’s development team will be hard at work on upgrades. And if Hamilton can unlock even 10% more performance from the SF-25, he’ll be right back in podium contention.
More importantly, we’ve seen him bounce back before. Whether it was after the heartbreak of Abu Dhabi 2021 or car troubles earlier in his career, Hamilton has always responded with determination.
The question isn’t whether he can drive fast enough. The question is whether the car will let him.
What Does the Future Hold?
If results don’t improve, Hamilton’s stint at Ferrari could go down as a glorious misfire—a passionate but ill-fated romance. But if he starts grabbing podiums, or even wins, it could become one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.
He doesn’t need to win a title to justify this move. He just needs to show he’s still capable of brilliance in red. One epic win. One emotional Monza moment. That’s all it takes.
Final Thoughts
Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari should have been a match made in motorsport heaven. Right now, it looks more like a complicated relationship filled with teething issues, high expectations, and frustrating Sundays.
But Hamilton’s story isn’t over yet. There’s still time to right the ship. There’s still time to dance with the Prancing Horse.
And if there’s one thing we’ve learned from watching Lewis Hamilton over the past two decades—it’s never count him out.
Shell & Ferrari A Legacy
