Ferrari Boss Confirms Hamilton, Team Underestimated F1 Challenge

Lewis Hamilton's debut season with Ferrari in 2025 has been marked by significant struggles and underperformance, with no podium finishes and consistent difficulties in qualifying. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that both he and Hamilton underestimated the challenge of adapting to a new team environment after Hamilton spent 18 years at Mercedes and McLaren, noting the cultural differences between Ferrari and his previous teams. Hamilton himself has been openly self-critical, describing his performances as 'useless' and even suggesting Ferrari might need to change drivers, which has sparked internal and public debate about his future. Former F1 driver Christian Danner warned that Hamilton underestimated the magnitude of the challenge at Ferrari, emphasizing that the lack of pace and rapport with the SF-25 car hinder his potential. Vasseur defended Hamilton while also highlighting the difficulty of the transition, suggesting that the team and driver are working through problems step by step despite appearances. As the season resumes, Hamilton faces a critical period to improve and determine whether he will adapt to the Ferrari way or seek to influence the team dynamics to his advantage.