Lewis Hamilton Faces Critical Season with Ferrari Amid Performance Concerns

Lewis Hamilton's transition to Ferrari has been challenging, with the seven-time world champion struggling to adapt to the SF-25 and facing ongoing difficulties in matching teammate Charles Leclerc's performance. Technical limitations of the Ferrari, especially issues with ride height and unpredictability in handling, have hindered both qualifying and race results, leaving Hamilton unable to consistently extract the car's full potential. Analysts and former drivers suggest that Hamilton is still grappling with the ground-effect era's car dynamics, a problem that began during his final years at Mercedes and has persisted at Ferrari. The consensus among experts is that 2026, when new regulations come into effect, represents a decisive 'make or break' opportunity for Hamilton to secure his elusive eighth title, with some warning that failure to do so may lead to his retirement from Formula 1. Despite flashes of his former brilliance, doubts about his ability to recapture his peak form have grown amid Ferrari's current struggles. Hamilton himself has acknowledged the uncertainty, admitting that solutions may take time and that the season ahead could remain difficult.