Valtteri Bottas pinpoints key factors behind Lewis Hamilton’s struggles in his first season with Ferrari, shedding light on the challenges the seven-time World Champion is facing as he adapts to a new team and car in Formula 1.
It could be argued that no Formula 1 driver knows Lewis Hamilton better than Valtteri Bottas.
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were teammates at Mercedes for 100 Grand Prix over the course of five seasons.
The pair enjoyed almost unparalleled success, winning the constructors’ championship every year they were together, and Hamilton securing his most recent four titles.
Bottas moved on to join Alfa Romeo in 2022 to make way for George Russell, but has now returned to Mercedes as reserve driver this season.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is benefiting from Bottas’ experience in Hamilton’s absence, while the 40-year-old’s move to Ferrari hasn’t quite gone to plan.
After the first 10 Grand Prix of the season, both championships already look out of reach for Hamilton and Ferrari.
Ferrari have doubts about their upcoming update packages, highlighting the lack of confidence in the team at the moment.
Bottas has now been asked what he believes is going wrong for Hamilton with the Scuderia, and has identified two potential ‘difficulties’ he’s struggling to cope with.
Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas thinks Lewis Hamilton is facing two ‘difficulties’ at Ferrari this season
Bottas was being interviewed by Formula1.it and was asked about Hamilton’s move to Ferrari and how previously in his career he was linked with the team, and he said: “It’s true, I was close to Ferrari, but many years have passed now.
“I can understand his decision, sometimes it’s necessary to change, and I think it’s a great opportunity for him to join Ferrari.
“It’s something that changes your life, and I think it’s really beautiful, for him and not only him.”
The Finnish driver then expanded on why he felt Hamilton hadn’t been able to hit the ground running since his move from Mercedes and explained: “I don’t know what the differences are between the two power units in the current specification, the 2025 one.
“But yes, I know them both. I’m waiting to do a test in the summer with this year’s car, but I think I can say that the main differences are in terms of driveability and the use of engine braking.
“In terms of peak power, I don’t think there are big differences, so I think his difficulties are related to these two parameters. Little by little, he’s adapting.”
Lewis Hamilton’s stance in the Formula 1 driver market after Ferrari move
Last season saw the Formula 1 driver market go into overdrive after Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari.
Only McLaren and Aston Martin retained both of their drivers over the winter break, and some high-profile drivers are still waiting to sign new deals for next season.
Mercedes are at the centre of this year’s rumours with both Russell and Antonelli out of contract at the end of the season.
While it’s expected that both drivers will stay with the Silver Arrows, it speaks volumes that most F1 teams wouldn’t move for Hamilton once his Ferrari contract runs out.
Alex Brundle fears next season’s F1 cars might not suit Hamilton, which, considering the relative difficulty he’s had in the ground-effect era, is a concern.
Ferrari have plenty of issues to work out after standing still this season and will hope that the longer Hamilton is in the car, the easier he finds the engine braking and driveability of the SF-25.
