Sebastian Vettel has offered words of encouragement to Lewis Hamilton following a rocky start to his Ferrari chapter, reminding the seven-time world champion that adapting to a new team—especially one like Ferrari—takes more than just a few races.
Hamilton’s lone highlight so far has been a Sprint victory, with his best Grand Prix finish being fifth. It’s a contrast to Vettel’s own Ferrari debut in 2015, when he landed on the podium in each of his first three races, including a win in Malaysia. But the German insists Hamilton’s slow start is nothing to worry about.
“It’s a big step,” Vettel told Sky Sports F1. “There’s a shift in culture, and while he’s focused on the racing, there are many things around that which require adjustment too.”
Vettel pointed to seemingly small but impactful details—like how a new team’s steering wheel may not feel second nature yet. It’s all part of a broader transition that takes time, even for the very best.
Earlier this week, former Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola claimed Hamilton was “suffering in Leclerc’s shadow,” much like Vettel had during his tenure. But the four-time champion dismissed any notion of concern.
“Lewis isn’t the most successful driver in history by chance. He’s working hard to get back to his best—and he will.”
Hamilton’s struggles haven’t gone unnoticed, but neither has the support. George Russell, his former Mercedes teammate, also backed the Brit to rediscover his groove.
“We saw it in China—pole in the Sprint, a dominant win. When things click for Lewis, the magic is still very much there.”
Now with Ferrari, Hamilton finds himself in unfamiliar territory—battling to find pace and comfort in a new environment. But with the backing of champions past and present, and plenty of racing left in the season, the message is clear: don’t count him out.
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