F1 news: Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari challenge: Struggles, support, and speculation
Lewis Hamilton’s first season as a Ferrari driver has had its challenges, with little to look back at and smile.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo reflects on the tone that has been set in the Ferrari camp following the Brit’s first five races at the Scuderia.
A rocky start in red
Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated debut season with Ferrari has been anything but smooth.
After his high-profile switch from Mercedes at the end of 2024, the seven-time World Champion has yet to find consistent footing with the SF-25.
Despite flashes of brilliance, including a sprint race victory in China - Hamilton has largely underwhelmed on Sundays, failing to finish higher than fifth in the first five rounds of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
At the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Hamilton crossed the line in seventh, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc by nearly 31 seconds.
Leclerc, now in his seventh season with Ferrari, secured a podium in the same race, further highlighting the stark contrast in form between the two drivers.
Vasseur’s unshakable faith
While critics have begun to question whether Hamilton's best days are behind him, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur remains adamant in his defence of the veteran driver.
Vasseur, who shares a long-standing relationship with Hamilton dating back to their time in GP2, made it clear that the Briton still has his full backing.
“I’m 2,000 percent behind him [Lewis Hamilton],” Vasseur declared during the Jeddah race weekend.
“We’ve seen his potential. The results may not reflect it yet, but the speed is there - we just need to find the right balance.”
The Frenchman was particularly incensed by claims suggesting Hamilton's form had collapsed, calling such narratives ‘complete nonsense’ and urging a more measured approach amid the intense competitiveness of modern F1.
Vasseur emphasised the tight margins that separate drivers on the grid, pointing out that even champions like Max Verstappen have their off weekends.
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Signs of frustration and doubt
Despite the public show of support, Hamilton himself has not hidden his dissatisfaction.
The 40-year-old has openly acknowledged that both he and the team are struggling, even going as far as predicting a ‘painful’ season ahead with ‘no fix’ in sight.
Following his underwhelming result in Jeddah, he admitted: “The car is clearly capable of a podium. Charles [Leclerc] proved that. So it’s not the machinery. I’ve just got to figure it out.”
His frustration hasn't gone unnoticed.
Former F1 driver and pundit Ralf Schumacher voiced concerns that Hamilton could walk away from Ferrari before the season is even out if the situation doesn’t improve.
Schumacher cited Hamilton’s visible exhaustion and body language as red flags, suggesting the driver might soon start questioning whether continuing is worth the emotional toll.
A lighter moment in the chaos
Yet, not all is bleak within the Ferrari camp. Amid the tension and technical troubles, a rare light-hearted moment at the Saudi Arabian GP brought a smile to Hamilton’s face.
During the weekend, Ferrari’s reserve driver Zhou Guanyu - temporarily stepping into a new role behind the camera - caught both Hamilton and Leclerc off guard as he documented the team’s activities from a photographer’s perspective.
The impromptu behind-the-scenes footage, shared via Ferrari’s social media channels, offered a brief reprieve from the pressure cooker atmosphere in the garage and reminded fans of the camaraderie that still exists behind the scenes.
Looking ahead: A season of uncertainty
As the season progresses, the big question remains: can Hamilton turn things around?
The talent is unquestionable, but the adaptation to Ferrari’s setup has proven more challenging than expected.
With Ferrari showing occasional signs of competitiveness, the hope is that car and driver will eventually align.
For now, Hamilton's Ferrari chapter remains unwritten - but the next few races could determine whether it becomes a redemption arc or an early exit.
