Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated move to Ferrari has so far been anything but the fairy tale both driver and team had hoped for. The seven-time world champion, now forty years of age, is enduring a difficult opening campaign with the Scuderia. His adaptation to the new machinery has been slow, results have been underwhelming, and instead of fighting at the sharp end, Hamilton finds himself languishing in sixth place in the championship standings.
When Hamilton left Mercedes, the expectation was that he would rediscover the spark that had been dulled by seasons of frustration with an uncompetitive car. Ferrari offered not only the glamour of Italy’s most famous sporting institution but also the chance to etch his name alongside legends who had conquered with the Prancing Horse. Yet, the marriage between Hamilton and Ferrari has so far resembled a stormy relationship rather than a union of destiny.
A call to Vettel
Former Ferrari mechanic Francesco Cigarini has suggested that Hamilton’s struggles echo those of Sebastian Vettel during his tenure with the team.
Ferrari’s recent cars have been tuned to suit Charles Leclerc’s style, which favours a lively rear end and requires immense precision and sensitivity. This setup proved problematic for Vettel, who appeared clumsy and off balance when trying to mimic his teammate’s preferences. Cigarini now sees Hamilton trapped in a similar scenario, unable to bend the Ferrari to his liking.
“I would not be surprised if Hamilton called Vettel,” Cigarini remarked.
He recalled how Vettel, too, looked a shadow of his former self when the car was set up in a way that didn’t complement his driving instincts. The implication is clear: Hamilton may need guidance from someone who has lived this same Ferrari nightmare before.
Hamilton the brand versus Hamilton the driver
Even if Hamilton’s on-track fortunes have been disappointing, his arrival in Maranello has already paid dividends for Ferrari’s bottom line. Reports from the Italian press indicate that Ferrari’s net profits for the first half of 2025 have risen by nine percent, reaching €837 million.
F1-specific revenues have also climbed, fuelled by the global commercial pull Hamilton brings with him. For Ferrari’s board, this is validation that the Hamilton signing was about more than just results on Sunday afternoons.
The Briton remains one of the most recognisable sports stars on the planet, and his presence has brought new fans, sponsors, and visibility to Ferrari. Yet, while accountants may celebrate, tifosi are a less forgiving breed. The Scuderia faithful did not dream of Hamilton in red merely to boost quarterly earnings. They dream of championships, parades in Monza, and that long-awaited return to glory.
A crisis of style, not substance?
What makes Hamilton’s plight fascinating is that he has not lost any of his natural ability. Drivers do not forget how to win seven world titles. Instead, the issue lies in the mismatch between Hamilton’s needs and Ferrari’s engineering trajectory. Leclerc has shaped the car around his own highly responsive driving style, honed through years of feedback. Hamilton, entering at this late stage, is the outsider forced to adapt rather than the architect of development.
This dynamic mirrors history. Vettel, too, arrived at Ferrari as a multiple champion, only to find himself constrained by a car that demanded an approach alien to his instincts. Hamilton may be discovering that even a driver of his calibre can be humbled when the machine does not respond in the way he expects.
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Looking ahead to 2026
Already, whispers suggest Hamilton has mentally written off 2025 and is casting his eyes toward the next major regulation change in 2026. That season will bring fresh technical rules, a clean slate, and the chance to build a car not only with Leclerc in mind but also with Hamilton’s needs incorporated from the outset. Until then, the Briton faces a long and likely frustrating campaign of compromise.
Yet, it is not impossible for fortunes to change. Ferrari, like all top teams, has the resources to evolve their car during the season. If Hamilton can find common ground with the engineers and adjust his own approach, there may still be flashes of brilliance to come. History has shown that Hamilton thrives when written off, and adversity has often fuelled his comebacks.
Of course, one can only imagine how that phone call between Hamilton and Vettel might go. Hamilton, sipping a kale smoothie in Monaco, dials up Vettel, who is probably elbow-deep in compost on his farm in Switzerland.
“Seb, mate, I cannot get the rear of this Ferrari under control. What did you do when you were in this mess?”
“Lewis, I planted carrots, they were far easier to handle than a Ferrari on full tanks.”
The thought of Hamilton seeking agricultural wisdom from Vettel is absurd, but perhaps not far from the truth. Ferrari’s quirks have made even the most decorated champions look like rookies, so perhaps the best advice Vettel could give is simply to embrace the chaos and focus on 2026.
The verdict
Hamilton’s Ferrari story is still in its early chapters, but already it has veered far from the script many expected. He remains a global superstar, a financial boon, and a marketing dream for the Scuderia, yet the cold numbers of the championship table tell a harsher truth. For now, he is another great champion who has discovered that driving a Ferrari is as much about surviving the political and technical storm as it is about racing on track.
Will Hamilton’s stint at Ferrari eventually bring the glory he craves, or is he destined to join Vettel, Alonso, and others on the long list of champions who came to Maranello and left empty-handed?
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Stephen Knowles, Red Bull’s sporting director, was candid in his assessment when speaking on the podcast The Inside Track. He described the situation as “a real problem” with no quick fix in sight. “The visibility problems right now are due to the fact that these cars are kicking up a lot of water,” Knowles explained.
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