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Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign has been far from triumphant. After ending his historic 12-year partnership with Mercedes, the British driver embarked on a high-stakes journey with Ferrari, aiming to clinch an elusive eighth title. However, reality struck hard: a tenth-place finish in Australia, a disqualification in China, seventh in Japan, and fifth in Bahrain paint a rocky start.
While incremental progress is visible, whispers of deeper struggles for him in the Ferrari dugout have started to linger. An F1 analyst’s theory suggests Hamilton’s challenges stem not from fading skill but an unexpected hurdle—one tied to his seismic team switch.
Why Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari transition isn’t just about speed
Formula 1 pundit Martin Brundle has pinpointed a critical factor behind Hamilton’s underwhelming form: the need to “unlearn” over a decade of Mercedes-specific instincts. Adjusting to Ferrari’s engineering philosophy, car dynamics, and team culture has proven tougher than anticipated. Brundle acknowledges the validity of this argument but admits surprise at how the seven-time champion continues to grapple with the transition.
Lewis Hamilton’s early Ferrari tenure has been a rollercoaster. A sprint win in Shanghai contrasted sharply with a heartbreaking disqualification 24 hours later. While teammate Charles Leclerc consistently outperforms him on Sundays, Hamilton’s qualifying struggles—most notably a ninth-place grid slot in Bahrain—have compounded frustrations.
“I’m just not doing a good enough job,” Hamilton admitted post-qualifying, echoing the self-doubt that shadowed his final Mercedes season.
Brundle dismisses age as a factor, emphasizing that Hamilton’s reflexes and vision remain intact. Instead, he theorizes that the driver’s discomfort stems from unfamiliarity with Ferrari’s systems.
“Different teams have different ‘green buttons’ for speed,” Martin Brundle notes, referencing the nuanced adjustments drivers rely on.
Relearning these intricacies after 12 years with Mercedes, where Hamilton’s preferences shaped car development, has created a disconnect.
The pundit also highlights a psychological layer: younger rivals like Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, now seasoned with 100+ races under their belts, adapt faster to evolving machinery. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, is recalibrating not just his driving style but also his collaborative approach.
“It’s harder to relearn than to learn fresh,” Brundle explains, suggesting that muscle memory from Mercedes’ success now clashes with Ferrari’s demands.
A glimmer of hope amid the storm
Despite trailing Charles Leclerc by seven points and sitting 52 adrift of championship leader Norris, Hamilton insists the Ferrari SF-25 is improving. Post-Bahrain upgrades boosted performance, yet the Briton concedes,
“The car has improved… it’s just my driving.”
Martin Brundle interprets this as a sign of Hamilton’s relentless self-criticism rather than decline. The driver’s candid admissions—once a rarity—now mirror last year’s Mercedes struggles, fueling speculation about his adaptability.
As Lewis Hamilton navigates this turbulent phase, the F1 world watches closely. Will he crack Ferrari’s code and reignite his title bid, or will the weight of unlearning legacy habits derail his dream? For now, the answer lies in patience—and perhaps a few more elusive “green buttons.” Meanwhile, Max Verstappen’s outburst over Red Bull’s RB 21 struggles adds another layer of drama to a season where even legends face unforeseen battles.
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