Was Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari really that bad? Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari seemed to be a perfect match. The most successful driver in the sport’s history joining its most iconic and successful team promised victories, titles, and a final, glorious chapter.

Yet Hamilton’s first season in red in 2025 has prompted some uncomfortable questions. On paper, the results are underwhelming: no wins, pole positions or grand prix podiums. His only tangible success so far is winning the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, modest by his own extraordinary standards.

But do the numbers truly paint such a bleak picture, or is the reality more nuanced?

 

 

A Tough Intra-Team Battle Against Leclerc

Looking at the raw 2025 data first, the internal comparison at Ferrari is clear: Charles Leclerc has dominated the head-to-head battle. In qualifying, the Monegasque driver has a dominant 19–5 lead, and in races, he is ahead 18–3. Sprint qualifying slightly favoured Leclerc at 4–2, with sprint races ending evenly at 3–3.

These statistics alone suggest a clear hierarchy, but the pace data emphasises the trend even more strongly. On average, Leclerc has been 0.235 seconds faster than Hamilton in qualifying based on best lap times. In race trim, the gap is similarly pronounced, with Hamilton averaging 0.249 seconds per lap slower than his teammate. Over a race distance, that deficit quickly adds up.

Did F1 Drivers Get It Right? Their Wild 2025 Predictions Revealed

 

The Sainz comparison raises questions

However, the most telling comparison comes when Hamilton’s numbers are stacked against those of his predecessor, Carlos Sainz. In Sainz’s final Ferrari season in 2024, his performance relative to Leclerc was much closer.

His average qualifying deficit was just 0.027 seconds, and his race pace lagged by only 0.046 seconds per lap. Direct comparison suggests that Sainz was roughly two-tenths of a second per lap faster than Hamilton has been relative to Leclerc in 2025, a considerable margin in Formula 1.

From a statistical perspective, it seems that Ferrari has replaced a nearly equal partner for Leclerc with a driver who, at least for now, is clearly the second best in the team.

Vettel ‘extremely nervous’ about Formula 1 return

 

The Importance of Adaptation Time

Context, however, matters. Hamilton’s 2025 campaign is his first season with Ferrari, whereas Sainz was already in his fourth year with the team in 2024. In modern Formula 1, adaptation remains a critical factor, particularly given the complexity of hybrid cars and the specificity of team processes.

Sainz’s own Ferrari debut season in 2021 is a good example of this. Despite narrowly beating Leclerc in the championship standings that year, Sainz was generally slower. His qualifying deficit was 0.184 seconds, and he was 0.193 seconds per lap down in races. Over subsequent seasons, he clawed back around one-and-a-half tenths through familiarity and refinement.

Hamilton may yet benefit from a similar trajectory. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Sainz’s first year in red still compares favourably to Hamilton’s performance in 2025 in terms of pure pace.

Split with Hamilton? Ferrari Confirms…

 

Sporting Logic Versus Strategic Reality

Based strictly on the data, Ferrari’s decision appears questionable from a sporting perspective. Sainz was closely matched with Leclerc, fully embedded within the team and delivering consistent performances. By contrast, Hamilton’s numbers resemble those of Sebastian Vettel during the latter stages of his Ferrari stint rather than those of a title contender.

However, focusing solely on lap time when considering the Hamilton signing would overlook the bigger picture. Hamilton brings unparalleled global recognition, commercial power, and brand value. His presence elevates Ferrari’s profile worldwide in a way that few other drivers could. This influence comes at a significant financial cost, but extends beyond the stopwatch.

So, was Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari really that bad? From a purely performance-driven viewpoint, the data is unforgiving. However, from a strategic and commercial perspective, the calculation may look very different, and Ferrari will be hoping that time, adaptation and future regulations eventually allow the sporting side to catch up.

Ricciardo’s amazing comeback to racing

 

NEXT ARTICLE: Contract bombshell for Lewis Hamilton, new details leaked in the German press

Fresh revelations surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s future at Ferrari have rocked Formula 1, with new reports suggesting his contract with the Scuderia is significantly longer than initially assumed. According to Bild, the seven-time world champion is secured not only for the upcoming regulatory era, but also for a period well beyond 2026.

The German publication claims that Hamilton’s Ferrari deal runs until at least the end of the 2027 Formula 1 season. Even more intriguingly, the contract reportedly includes a unilateral option that would allow Hamilton to extend his stay by a further year, potentially keeping him at Ferrari until the end of 2028.

 

Hamilton’s clause

If he activates this clause, he will be 43 years old when the agreement expires. This information from BILD contrasts sharply with the widespread belief that Hamilton’s commitment to Ferrari would end in 2026, when the new engine regulations come into effect.

Neither Hamilton nor Ferrari has publicly confirmed the precise duration of the contract. When the blockbuster move was officially announced in February 2024, both parties described it only as a ‘multi-year’ agreement, leaving room…READ MORE