Lewis Hamilton’s dream switch to Ferrari is starting to look more like a pressure cooker. Just a few races into the 2025 Formula 1 season, the seven-time world champion finds himself under fire for his sluggish qualifying performances — and Fred Vasseur isn’t smiling anymore.
After a disappointing P9 in qualifying at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton was over six-tenths slower than his teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured P3. That gap raised more than a few eyebrows — and Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz didn’t hold back.
“He clearly needs to do something,” Kravitz warned. “He can’t hide behind setup issues anymore — this is Ferrari now.”
The Honeymoon Is Over
Hamilton’s arrival at Scuderia Ferrari made global headlines, promising a revival and a legacy-defining final chapter. But so far, it’s Leclerc who’s stealing the spotlight — and crucially, the points. With Vasseur reportedly growing impatient and the passionate Tifosi already buzzing with concern, the pressure on Hamilton is becoming very real.
“He knows it’s not something he can defer until the end of his time with the team,” said Kravitz. “He has to figure this qualifying thing out — fast.”
Saturdays Are the Problem, Not Sundays
Though Hamilton managed to recover and finish P5 in the Bahrain race, just one spot behind Leclerc, Kravitz pointed out that solid Sundays won’t matter much if poor Saturdays keep putting him on the back foot.
“The race was no problem. Lewis was great. But Ferrari doesn’t want excuses for Saturday struggles — and neither does Fred Vasseur,” he added.
Quali King No More? Hamilton’s Legacy at Risk
Hamilton has one of the most dominant qualifying records in F1 history, having been outqualified by a teammate only twice in a full season — by Nico Rosberg in 2014 and George Russell in 2024. Now in 2025, he trails Leclerc 3-1, with his lone qualifying win coming in Shanghai.
It’s not a crisis — yet. But the writing on the wall is bold: Ferrari didn’t sign Hamilton for average Saturdays.
Can He Bounce Back?
Hamilton has always taken pride in his ability to adapt quickly, and that skill is about to be tested more than ever. With Leclerc leading the Ferrari charge, Fred Vasseur demanding answers, and the F1 world watching, Hamilton needs to turn things around — and soon.
Because in F1, your legacy is only as strong as your last lap.
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