The once-dominant Lewis Hamilton is facing a new chapter at Ferrari, but it’s not without challenges.
- Hamilton’s quest for an eighth World Championship continues, but a former Ferrari chief has cast doubt on its success.
- Three seasons after a controversial loss in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari aims to capture past glory.
- Despite a promising start, Hamilton acknowledges the struggle to outperform teammate Charles Leclerc.
- Amid these challenges, a positive takeaway from Bahrain suggests potential for improvement.
Lewis Hamilton, a name synonymous with speed and victory, has embarked on a daring journey with Ferrari, pursuing a record eighth World Championship. However, as former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo bluntly states, Hamilton’s ambition is likely to remain unfulfilled. “His dream of winning the World Championship title at Ferrari will not come true!” di Montezemolo asserted during the Bahrain Grand Prix.
After a three-season hiatus from championship contention, following a controversial 2021 finale in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton transitioned from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025. This marked a monumental shift for the veteran driver, driven by the opportunity to race under the iconic Ferrari banner. Yet, the seasoned racer confronts a daunting task ahead.
Hamilton himself admits that life at Ferrari has been a mixed bag, particularly as he struggles to keep pace with teammate Charles Leclerc, who has consistently finished ahead in each race this season. The six-tenths qualifying deficit to Leclerc in Bahrain has Hamilton acknowledging his own underperformance at Ferrari, drawing parallels to challenges faced in his concluding year with Mercedes.
Reflecting on the new Ferrari SF-25 car, Hamilton describes it as feeling ‘alien’ compared to his twelve years with Mercedes. Despite these hurdles, the 40-year-old found a silver lining after moving from P9 to P5 in Bahrain. Hamilton expressed a sense of alignment with the car during the race’s middle stint, indicating a gradual adaptation to Ferrari’s unique driving requirements.
Currently seventh in the Drivers’ Championship standings, Hamilton trails Leclerc by seven points. However, his recent reflections reveal an underlying optimism. “Yeah, much more positive,” Hamilton noted. “My driving style seemed to be working in that moment. And so learned a lot today, and this weekend, actually. A lot.” It’s apparent Hamilton is slowly but surely adjusting to the demands of Ferrari, with hopes of eventually closing the gap to his teammate.
Hamilton’s season may have begun with challenges, but his resolve to adapt and conquer with Ferrari remains steadfast.
