The motorsport world was taken by surprise when Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, made a bold move to Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season. Anticipation filled the air, yet the beginning of his journey has been anything but smooth. With Ferrari’s troubled SF-25 car, Hamilton finds himself in an unexpected position, as the team’s No. 2 driver, according to Dutch F1 pundit Tim Coronel.
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari came after a few challenging years at Mercedes, where he struggled with their interpretation of the 2022 regulations. The hope was that a new environment would reignite his winning ways. But so far, the transition hasn’t paid off. Both he and teammate Charles Leclerc are grappling with the same issues—namely, the lack of rear-end stability in the SF-25. Despite these challenges, Leclerc has managed to secure podium finishes, whereas Hamilton has not.
Team principal Fred Vasseur insists that both drivers are treated equally, but Coronel believes otherwise. On RacingNews365’s Formula 1 podcast, he stated that the numbers make it clear that Hamilton is trailing. “It’s very simple. All the figures point to it,” Coronel asserted. Although Hamilton is a fan favorite and renowned for his competitive spirit, even he admits to a slump after Ferrari’s disqualification at the Chinese Grand Prix dampened hopes following his sprint race win there.
Charles Leclerc, who also faces challenges with the car, has managed to stand out. This has led to speculation about the internal dynamics of the team. Despite both drivers facing similar technical issues, Leclerc’s podium appearances suggest a shift in the team’s pecking order.
While Hamilton’s enthusiasm and talent are undeniable, the reality of the situation leaves little room for sentiment. His past accomplishments include sparring with Max Verstappen in highly competitive races, but success in F1 is as much about adaptation to current circumstances as it is about raw talent.
In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, even legends like Lewis Hamilton are not immune to the challenges posed by a struggling car. While his move to Ferrari was seen as a fresh start, the current situation underscores the relentless competition within the sport. Hamilton’s journey at Ferrari is a testament to the intricate dynamics of racing, where performance speaks volumes and sentiment takes a backseat.
