Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari in 2025 proved far more challenging than expected, as the seven-time world champion struggled to consistently extract performance from the SF-25. What was meant to be a fresh start instead became one of the toughest campaigns of his Formula 1 career.
The year began with genuine optimism when Hamilton claimed victory in the Sprint race in China, briefly raising hopes of a title challenge. However, that early success turned out to be misleading, as neither Hamilton nor Ferrari managed to build sustained momentum over the remainder of the season.
As the months passed, Ferrari found themselves unable to keep pace with the front-running teams, and their competitiveness steadily faded. Despite occasional flashes of promise, the car lacked the consistency required to fight at the top of the grid.
Charles Leclerc’s performances added to the concern, with statistics highlighting a growing gap that placed further scrutiny on Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari machinery. The numbers have raised questions about where Hamilton must improve if he is to reassert himself within the team.
Looking ahead to 2026, the focus has shifted to what Hamilton can refine ahead of the regulation changes. Improving qualifying consistency, adapting more quickly to Ferrari’s setup philosophy, and maximising race execution are seen as key areas if he is to rediscover his winning form in red.
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