Sitting seventh in the F1 2025 World Championship while teammate Charles Leclerc climbs podiums, Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated Ferrari era is off to a rocky start. With just 33 points and no podium finishes, the question looms: Why hasn’t Hamilton clicked with the iconic Scuderia team?
Here are five revealing reasons behind Hamilton’s underwhelming Ferrari chapter so far.
1. Ground Effect Regulations Are Still Holding Him Back
Hamilton’s troubles didn’t begin with Ferrari — they began with F1’s shift back to ground-effect aerodynamics in 2022. These regulations have transformed car behavior, especially in corners, where the aerodynamic load shifts unpredictably.
Hamilton, known for his late-braking, instinctive cornering style, thrived under the older aerodynamic setup. Now, he battles instability mid-corner and often complains about grip, balance, and connection with the car — problems that plagued him at Mercedes and continue with Ferrari.
2. A Grueling Season Start Offers Little Time to Adjust
The 2025 calendar has been relentless: five races in six weeks across demanding tracks, with almost no breathing room for analysis or adaptation. While some drivers thrive in rapid succession, Hamilton’s analytical, data-driven approach needs time to reset and strategize. Ferrari’s early triple-header hasn’t allowed that.
Even his moment of brilliance — a sprint win in Shanghai — was quickly overshadowed by a disqualification for technical non-compliance.
3. Ferrari’s Culture Shock Is Real
Ferrari is more than a racing team — it’s an institution steeped in tradition, pressure, and pride. Moving from the calculated calm of Mercedes to the emotionally charged atmosphere of Maranello hasn’t been smooth sailing for Hamilton.
At Mercedes, Hamilton had helped shape the culture over a decade. At Ferrari, he’s navigating unfamiliar dynamics, a new leadership style under Fred Vasseur, and the weight of fan expectations. It’s like switching from a tech startup to an old-school dynasty overnight — even the best need time to adjust.
4. Learning Curve: New Team, New Car, New Communication
Joining a new team is never seamless — especially when the car’s development happened without your input. From understanding how to communicate with his race engineer to learning how to coexist with Leclerc as a teammate, Hamilton is still adapting.
The language barrier in an Italian-rooted organization, combined with entirely new engineering staff, compounds the adjustment. Think of it like being an expert in your field but switching companies and suddenly having to relearn how to do everything.
5. F1 Might Not Be His Sole Focus Anymore
While critics are quick to blame age or distractions, Hamilton’s diverse portfolio outside racing suggests something deeper: F1 may no longer be his central passion.
From Met Gala red carpets to film production with Brad Pitt and philanthropic ventures like Mission 44, Hamilton has become a global icon whose identity extends far beyond racing. That doesn’t mean he’s “lost it” — but it may signal that winning races isn’t the only thing driving him anymore.