Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari has not gone as hoped. Aside from a single sprint victory, he is struggling with his SF-25, a car that seems fundamentally inferior to the likes of McLaren and Mercedes. On the eve of the European season and a new triple header, Hamilton is grappling not only with his Ferrari but also with uncertainty.
In the run-up to the Emilia-Romagna GP, Hamilton reflects on six challenging weekends with Ferrari. He consistently lost to teammate Charles Leclerc, except for a few strong performances during sprint races. These moments offer glimpses of his abilities, but his debut year with Scuderia has largely been disappointing. He emphasizes the challenges of this first season in red and reveals that he sometimes has to convince himself of his own abilities.
‘Did not know how tough it would be’
“I expected it to be very tough, having driven for a new team before,” Hamilton told the media in Imola. In 2013, the 40-year-old Briton had already switched from McLaren to Mercedes. “I went in with an open mind,” he explained, “although I didn’t know how tough it would be. Of course, I knew it would be a challenge, but it’s as challenging as it can be on all fronts.”
In the run-up to 2025, it was expected that Ferrari would compete against McLaren in the championship, after finishing second in 2024. A title fight, however, seems far off for now. “Championship? There’s a long, long way to go,” said Hamilton. “Given all my years of experience, I have to assume that at this point, with a deficit of more than a hundred points on a fairly dominant car, we’re not necessarily in the running for the title.”
‘Maintaining Belief’
According to Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s success is entirely dependent on the upcoming upgrades. The Italians are introducing a few minor changes in Imola – all hope is essentially pinned on the new front wing the team is introducing in Barcelona. “I can’t say whether Ferrari will gain a tenth, half a second, or a full second by the end of the season,” Hamilton emphasized. “That’s why we can’t rule out any idea. When I talk to the engineers, I ask them how we can win this weekend. If we can get just a bit more out of the tires or the floor, we might be able to make it. After all, you have to believe in it.”
When asked about all the external criticism, Hamilton responded that his ‘haters’ have no idea what sacrifices he has had to make. Yet, he sometimes catches himself doubting. “Ninety-nine percent of them don’t know what I’ve had to go through,” Hamilton concluded. “I often have to remind myself that I’ve won seven titles. I’ve won more than any other driver. I must not forget that I’ve done great things, and even now when things are tough, I know it will be okay.”
