Ferrari’s Hamilton Crisis: What Lies Beneath the Surface?
August 3, 2025 – The much-anticipated union of Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, heralded as a dream partnership, has instead become a focal point of scrutiny in the 2025 Formula 1 season. The seven-time world champion’s move to the iconic Scuderia was expected to reignite his pursuit of an eighth title, but halfway through the season, the results have been underwhelming, sparking talk of a “crisis.” Behind the headlines, however, lies a complex web of technical, organizational, and cultural challenges that reveal deeper issues within Ferrari.
A Rocky Start for Hamilton
Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has been anything but smooth. Currently sixth in the drivers’ championship, he trails teammate Charles Leclerc by 28 points, with Leclerc out-qualifying him 9-4 at an average of 0.151 seconds per lap. Hamilton’s best grand prix result is a fourth-place finish, and he has yet to secure a podium in a main race, marking his worst-ever start to a season. His sole highlight was a sprint race win in China, but this has been overshadowed by consistent struggles, including two Q1 eliminations at the Belgian Grand Prix and a disqualification in China due to excessive plank wear on his SF-25.
Hamilton has openly expressed frustration, describing the SF-25 as “alien” compared to his Mercedes and admitting to feeling like he’s “letting Ferrari down.” Italian media, including La Gazzetta dello Sport and GPFans, have labeled the situation a “love affair in full crisis,” with some even suggesting Hamilton’s tenure could mirror the unfulfilled stints of champions like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari.
Technical Troubles with the SF-25
At the heart of Ferrari’s struggles is the SF-25’s performance, or lack thereof. Reports indicate the car suffers from a critical flaw: it “goes into crisis” in low-fuel, slow-corner scenarios, such as those encountered in qualifying, due to poor mechanical grip. This issue has been particularly detrimental to Hamilton, who has struggled to adapt to the car’s setup, which differs significantly from the Mercedes he drove for 12 years. The SF-25 is also sensitive to ride height changes, a problem highlighted by Hamilton’s Chinese Grand Prix disqualification, where excessive plank wear flagged setup miscalculations.
Ferrari’s upgrades have been slow to materialize, with the first significant package arriving only in Austria, well after the fourth race in Bahrain. While team principal Fred Vasseur insists the car is better than its results suggest, its average qualifying pace is 0.393 seconds slower than the leading McLaren, making it the slowest among the top four teams. Hamilton has noted that the car struggles in wet conditions, as seen in his “crash course” during the rain-affected Australian Grand Prix, where he finished 10th.
Organizational and Cultural Challenges
Beyond the car’s limitations, Ferrari’s internal dynamics have contributed to the so-called crisis. Hamilton has hinted at “deep structural shortcomings” within the team, calling for a “revolution” in mindset and organization. He has submitted multiple documents to Ferrari’s leadership, proposing changes to team structure and car development for 2025 and beyond, particularly with the 2026 regulatory changes looming. These documents reflect his belief that not all parts of Ferrari’s “huge organization” are “firing on all cylinders.”
Communication issues have also surfaced, particularly between Hamilton and his race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Former F1 driver Robert Doornbos described their radio exchanges as “terrible,” suggesting a lack of synergy that contrasts with Leclerc’s smoother relationship with his engineer, Bryan Bozzi. Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari’s operational style, which he describes as “very different” from Mercedes, has been a steep learning curve, compounded by the team’s failure to deliver timely upgrades or optimize new components, such as the rear suspension introduced in Belgium that led to crashes for both drivers.
Ferrari’s team composition has also drawn criticism. Doornbos pointed to the absence of key English-speaking figures from the Michael Schumacher era, noting that Hamilton, as the “sole prominent Englishman,” struggles to bridge cultural and operational gaps. This echoes a broader narrative of Ferrari’s struggle to balance its Italian heritage with the global demands of modern F1.
Vasseur’s Defensive Stance
Team principal Fred Vasseur has faced mounting pressure, with Italian media questioning his leadership before the Canadian Grand Prix. Vasseur has dismissed these critiques as distractions, insisting that Ferrari’s issues are not as severe as portrayed. He points to incidents like Hamilton’s collision with a groundhog in Canada, which cost him 0.5 seconds per lap, as mitigating factors. Vasseur remains optimistic, citing recent upgrades in Belgium as a step forward and emphasizing the team’s goal to build momentum before the summer break.
However, Vasseur’s reluctance to disclose specific issues, such as the undisclosed problem that slowed both Ferraris in Spain, has fueled speculation and frustration. His claim that Ferrari’s championship aspirations were shared by rivals like McLaren and Red Bull rings hollow when the team sits third in the constructors’ standings, 61 points behind McLaren after the Chinese debacle.
A Glimmer of Hope?
Despite the challenges, there are signs of progress. The recent upgrades in Belgium showed promise, with Leclerc securing a podium, and Hamilton remains committed to Ferrari’s potential, drawing parallels to his early struggles at McLaren. He has expressed gratitude for the “challenging process,” viewing it as a foundation for 2026, when new regulations could reset the competitive order. Hamilton’s contract, rumored to be worth £50m per year, extends into next season, giving him time to influence Ferrari’s direction.
Leclerc, too, is cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the SF-25’s improvements but tempering expectations for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The team’s focus on aerodynamic efficiency and balance suggests a long-term strategy, but the immediate pressure to deliver results remains intense, especially with Ferrari’s passionate fanbase and media scrutiny.
What Lies Ahead
The “Hamilton crisis” at Ferrari is less about the driver’s individual performance and more about a team in transition grappling with technical deficiencies, organizational inertia, and high expectations. Hamilton’s experience and proactive approach—evidenced by his detailed feedback and proposed changes—could be a catalyst for Ferrari’s revival, but only if the team addresses its structural and cultural challenges.
As the 2025 season progresses, Ferrari must balance short-term fixes with long-term planning for 2026. For Hamilton, the dream of an eighth title remains distant, but his resolve to avoid the fate of Alonso and Vettel is clear. The question is whether Ferrari can harness his expertise and Leclerc’s speed to reclaim their place at F1’s summit—or if the “crisis” will deepen, casting a shadow over one of the sport’s most storied partnerships.
Sources: BBC Sport, PlanetF1.com, GPFans.com, The Guardian, Motorsport.com, The Athletic