Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton: Trouble in Maranello – What’s Really Going On?

As Formula 1 barrels through the 2025 season, Ferrari and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton find themselves in an increasingly dire situation. The much-hyped partnership between Hamilton and the legendary Italian marque has yet to produce the results fans and experts expected. After ten Grand Prix weekends, Hamilton has failed to secure a single podium in a full-length race—a first in his storied career that began in 2007.

Sure, the British legend managed a couple of podiums in sprint races, but the full-length Sundays—the ones that really matter—have been barren. It’s not just bad luck or one-off blunders; it’s a pattern, and it’s deeply concerning. Hamilton, known for his laser focus and relentless competitiveness, appears more frustrated than ever, and Ferrari… well, they seem lost.

A Rough Start in Red

Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari shocked the paddock, though many viewed it as a romantic move: chasing glory in the red suit and perhaps emulating his idol, Michael Schumacher. But romance doesn’t win races. Ferrari’s SF-25 hasn’t delivered. From underwhelming pace to baffling strategic blunders, the Scuderia’s execution has been inconsistent and at times embarrassing.

In Montreal, Hamilton’s post-race comments were a brutal reality check. When asked about the much-anticipated upgrade package for the Canadian GP, Lewis responded with astonishment: “Upgrades? We didn’t bring any.” That remark alone tells us a lot about the state of communication—or lack thereof—between driver and team. Hamilton has openly admitted that he is constantly challenging engineers and pushing for innovation, only to be met with responses like, “We’ve done it this way before.”

In other words, Ferrari seems stuck in its old ways. And Hamilton? He’s already looking to 2026.

Strategic Missteps and No-Man’s Land

One of the recurring issues plaguing Ferrari is race strategy. The Canadian GP provided yet another textbook example of poor calls from the pit wall. Hamilton was left in “no man’s land” after a questionable pit stop, far from the front runners, battling neither his rivals nor truly threatening anyone ahead. Even more telling was Hamilton’s radio message to his race engineer, in which he criticized the strategy mid-race—a rare public flash of frustration from someone who’s usually measured, even under pressure.

And it’s not just Hamilton. Charles Leclerc has suffered from similarly incoherent strategic decisions. In Canada, Leclerc was denied a realistic chance at a podium due to Ferrari’s poor tire call. He suggested switching to an alternate strategy—“Plan C”—based on tire performance, but Ferrari went with a baffling approach, mounting the same hard compound again, essentially dooming his race.

Engineering Disconnect

There’s a growing sentiment within the paddock that Ferrari’s engineers are not listening to driver feedback. Hamilton has made it abundantly clear that he is offering detailed insights about the car’s behavior—especially in low-speed corners where the SF-25 refuses to rotate—but those insights aren’t translating into tangible progress.

This disconnect is a huge red flag. In today’s ultra-competitive F1 landscape, drivers and engineers must be perfectly in sync. At Red Bull, Max Verstappen’s partnership with Gianpiero Lambiase is a model of seamless collaboration. Verstappen is trusted, his feedback valued, and the results speak for themselves. Ferrari, meanwhile, appears stuck in a vicious cycle of repeating its mistakes.

The Fred Vasseur Factor

Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur, who replaced Mattia Binotto, was heralded as the man to finally steer Ferrari in the right direction. But so far, results under his leadership have been mediocre at best. Despite Ferrari publicly denying rumors about his job being on the line, the Italian media and fans are growing restless. Insiders suggest that both Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna and chairman John Elkann are losing patience.

While Vasseur might not be directly responsible for every on-track blunder, leadership is about accountability. If the drivers aren’t being heard, if development is stagnating, and if race-day decisions are costing valuable points, then someone at the top must answer for it.

Is 2025 Already a Write-Off?

With ten races behind them and no wins to show, it’s hard to argue that Ferrari is in contention for either championship. Hamilton himself has conceded that 2025 is a “lost season,” and his focus has shifted toward building the foundation for the sweeping 2026 regulation changes.

The 2026 season will introduce a new generation of power units and aero regulations—a potential game-changer. Hamilton knows this. It’s likely he joined Ferrari with that long-term vision in mind: endure the growing pains now, help shape the car for 2026, and come back with a vengeance when the playing field is leveled.

But this plan only works if Ferrari listens and adapts. Hamilton is a proven winner, not just because of raw speed, but because of his ability to galvanize a team around him. Mercedes was not a title-winning juggernaut when he joined in 2013—but it became one. If Ferrari is to mirror that trajectory, they must embrace change now.

What Comes Next?

The next few races will be telling. The Austrian GP offers a different type of circuit that might suit the SF-25 slightly better, and Hamilton has expressed cautious optimism. But without major upgrades and smarter strategies, it’s hard to see how Ferrari competes with Red Bull, McLaren, or even Mercedes.

The real risk isn’t just another winless season—it’s losing Hamilton’s faith. If the legendary Brit senses that Ferrari is more committed to tradition than transformation, he may disengage emotionally, even if he remains contractually obligated. And for a team that thrives on passion, that would be the ultimate defeat.

Conclusion

Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton are in a precarious position. What began as a hopeful new chapter is quickly becoming a nightmare of underperformance, miscommunication, and strategic folly. Unless the Scuderia can pivot—both in car development and team culture—they risk squandering the talent of one of the sport’s greatest ever drivers.

The question isn’t just whether Hamilton will win with Ferrari. It’s whether Ferrari will let him.

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