Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari was expected to be a tale of rebirth and redemption, perhaps offering one final chance at glory. However, Monza presented the seven-time world champion with a very different reality: blue overalls, a tenth-place grid slot and the unmistakable feeling that his dream season was turning into a nightmare.
His former teammate and long-standing rival Nico Rosberg has been quick to highlight his struggles, describing his current form as “atypical” for the once seemingly unbeatable legend. Let’s take a closer look at the crisis Hamilton is facing, the reasons behind it, and what his Ferrari journey might look like from here on in.
The clash between expectation and reality
When Hamilton signed with Ferrari, the story practically wrote itself: The sport’s biggest star joining the sport’s most iconic team was Hollywood casting at its finest. Monza 2025 should have been the emotional climax of that story, but Hamilton arrived to find himself wearing a one-off blue outfit and starting in tenth place after a penalty carried over from Zandvoort. The symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone: so far, Hamilton’s Ferrari fairytale has been far less triumphant than imagined.
In raw numbers, the reality is harsh. Hamilton is well behind Charles Leclerc in qualifying, with the Monegasque leading 17–5. Hamilton is also behind in the championship standings, with his tally of 109 points pale in comparison to Leclerc’s 151. Rosberg, never one to mince his words, summed it up bluntly: “Leclerc is simply the better driver at the moment.” For a competitor who once reduced teammates to psychological rubble, that kind of gulf stings.
Rosberg’s verdict: an atypical Hamilton.
The man who knows Hamilton best — Rosberg — has been forthright in his analysis. Hamilton’s mistakes, he argues, are not those of a driver at ease. A spin in Spa qualifying, a crash into the wall at Zandvoort and several smaller errors point to a champion struggling rather than thriving. “It’s uncharacteristic,” Rosberg remarked, emphasising that Hamilton used to embody reliability under pressure.
Compounding matters is the age factor. Hamilton turned 40 this season — a milestone that Rosberg framed as an undeniable fact. ‘You don’t get any faster at that age,’ he said, adding that Hamilton simply doesn’t seem comfortable in the Ferrari yet. Coming from the man who dethroned Hamilton in 2016, such words carry both insight and a hint of old rivalry.
Ralf Schumacher’s half-hearted defence
Interestingly, even Ralf Schumacher — who has built something of a reputation as Hamilton’s critic-in-chief — has been willing to grant him some credit. He acknowledged that Hamilton still has speed, citing his Zandvoort performance as proof that his talent hasn’t deserted him. However, the German quickly returned to his doubts, stating that the errors, inflated expectations and weight of Ferrari’s substantial salary bill all indicate an inevitable mismatch between Hamilton and Maranello. ‘It won’t work in the long run,’ he predicted in his typically unsentimental fashion.
Schumacher’s view reflects a broader sentiment in the paddock. Hamilton remains fast enough to compete, but the mental sharpness and consistency that once defined him seem to be deteriorating. His self-criticism in Hungary, where he called himself ‘useless’ and suggested that Ferrari should find another driver, may have been an outburst in the heat of the moment, but it spoke volumes about his inner turmoil.
F1 is for sale confirms Liberty Media
Signs of life at Monza
And yet, Monza has provided glimmers of encouragement. Against the backdrop of Ferrari’s special livery and the intense expectation of the Tifosi, Hamilton pushed Leclerc all the way in qualifying, missing out by just a tenth. For a driver who has often been accused of being off the pace this year, that margin is no small comfort. Hamilton himself described himself as “definitely happy with the progress”, noting that the last two race weekends had felt more solid and that the gap was finally narrowing.
The car, of course, has its limits. Ferrari’s 2025 machine excels on the straights but struggles in the corners, leaving Hamilton lamenting the lack of aerodynamic downforce. Telemetry comparisons reinforce this: while Ferrari gains time at the end of straights, it loses heavily when exiting slower corners. Compared to drivers like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, Hamilton’s throttle application appears aggressive, but the resulting traction is inferior — another sign that he has not yet fully bonded with his machinery.
“‘Really, really shocked’: Hamilton floored as FIA hands him Monza penalty
The uncomfortable questions
Hamilton’s current plight is exacerbated by the spotlight. Ferrari and Monza attract a great deal of scrutiny, and Rosberg is all too familiar with the intense atmosphere. “You arrive in Monza on Thursday, and then the journalists ask you about these headlines,” he said. “You can’t ignore them.” In a sport that thrives on narrative, Hamilton’s decline has become irresistible fuel, and each mistake or missed opportunity amplifies the chorus of doubt. For a driver who once seemed invincible, having to face daily interrogations about his decline is perhaps an even harder test than the lap times themselves.
The tifosi’s embrace
And yet, not everything is bleak. If there’s one saving grace for Hamilton, it’s the adoration of Ferrari’s fans. The Tifosi are notorious for their ruthlessness when it comes to perceived underperformance, yet they have thus far given Hamilton the same love they afford Leclerc. His morning arrivals at the paddock astride a Ducati draped in the Italian tricolour have been met with cheers rather than groans. Hamilton has described the Monza atmosphere as “unbelievable”, likening it only to the passion of Brazilian football fans or Argentine crowds.
This emotional connection matters. Ferrari drivers are judged as much by their bond with the fans as by their points tally, and Hamilton’s charisma has the power to inspire loyalty. His awe at being at the heart of the Monza frenzy, watching thousands line the roads, swarm Milan fan events and chant his name, may not earn him tenths on the stopwatch, but it buys patience and goodwill, two rare commodities in Maranello.
So, is Hamilton’s Ferrari dream a crisis or a slow burn?
So, where does this leave us? Statistically speaking, Hamilton’s first Ferrari season has been underwhelming, even disappointing. He lags behind Leclerc, makes unforced errors and is asked about his longevity. However, the evidence of a terminal decline is not yet conclusive. Glimpses of speed, incremental progress with the car and the fervent support of the tifosi suggest that the story is not yet over.
Perhaps the Hamilton-Ferrari partnership was never destined for instant success. Instead, it may be a slow-burning narrative, where teething problems dominate the beginning, but resilience and adaptation determine the ending. Only time will answer the question of whether Hamilton still has enough physical and mental stamina to bend the arc of this tale towards triumph.
“Hooligan Herta” backed by Lando Norris
MORE F1 NEWS – Wolff confirms short contract for Russell
The drama of the Mercedes Formula One team and its driver contract protracted negotiations is once again coming to the fore. Two years ago it was Hamilton and Russell who were forced to wait until late in the season, before their new deals were confirmed.
The result was the dreaded “one plus one” deal announced as a “multi-year contract” yet clearly behind the scenes Hamilton was unhappy with Mercedes lack of commitment to him. Within weeks he had agreed a deal to move to Ferrari after the only season guaranteed by Mercedes.
Lewis had made it clear he wished to finish his career with the Mercedes team, but the deal offered by Toto Wolff was a slap in the face. Now George Russell finds himself in a similar position despite being the driver who has collected around 75% of the team’s total points haul in 2025. Big hope Kimi Antonelli has failed to live up to his star billing and needs another year with the team to prove he has got what it takes…. READ MORE
Craig.J. Alderson is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Craig oversees newsroom operations and coordinates editorial output across the site. With a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing, he plays a key role in maintaining consistency, speed, and accuracy in TJ13’s coverage.
During race weekends, Craig acts as desk lead, directing contributors, prioritising breaking stories, and ensuring timely publication across a fast-moving news cycle.
Craig’s work focuses heavily on real-time developments in the paddock, including team updates, regulatory decisions, and emerging controversies. This role requires a detailed understanding of Formula 1’s operational flow, from practice sessions through to race-day strategy and post-race fallout.
With experience managing editorial teams, Craig ensures that TJ13 delivers structured, reliable coverage while maintaining the site’s distinctive voice.
Craig has a particular interest in how information moves within the paddock environment, and how rapidly developing stories can be accurately translated into clear, accessible reporting for readers.
