Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari hasn’t gone according to plan. The seven-time world champion is still searching for his first podium with the team.
Expectations were high when he made the switch from Mercedes, but aside from a Sprint win in Shanghai, it’s been a tough start.
Hamilton sits sixth in the standings, 131 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, and his title hopes are already fading. Both he and Charles Leclerc have struggled to get comfortable with the SF-25, which has a very narrow setup window.
A power steering issue has also hampered Hamilton’s ability to brake late into corners. Ferrari are hoping their new rear suspension, set to debut at the Belgian Grand Prix, will help turn things around.
The team’s data suggests that this update should be an improvement and could allow them to run the car lower, similar to their setup at the Chinese GP – though both drivers were disqualified there for plank wear infringement.
There’s also hope that these changes will help Ferrari adapt more smoothly to the 2026 F1 regulations. But if results don’t improve soon, bigger changes could be on the horizon at Maranello – possibly even involving team principal Fred Vasseur.
Lewis Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari unlikely to improve with Fred Vasseur exit
Ferrari currently hold second place in the constructors’ standings, though that position is a bit misleading considering their lack of pace compared to the front-runners. It’s led to questions about Vasseur’s future, especially with his contract ending after the 2025 season.
Martin Brundle has cautioned against making rash decisions, suggesting that firing key personnel won’t solve Ferrari’s problems. Michael Lamonato echoed this sentiment on Pit Talk, pointing out that few around the paddock believe removing Vasseur would help Hamilton.
He added that such a move would likely be seen as a step backwards, something Hamilton may not have time to recover from: “I do want to see something finally click there for a change. I want to see this Hamilton-Vasseur-Leclerc relationship work a little bit,” he said.
“Because I think the risk is that, if the team does, as is being rumoured quite heavily in the Italian press, decide to make a move on the team principal if results are not forthcoming.
“I don’t think anyone in Formula 1 really sees that as a path to anything other than another few years backwards step, success later down the line rather than next year, as it could potentially be, or at least in the first few years of this regulatory set. I don’t think Hamilton has that kind of time.”
Lewis Hamilton could leave Ferrari if Christian Horner replaces Fred Vasseur
The Frenchman was a major factor in why he left Mercedes for Maranello. But rumours haven’t stopped swirling around his position. Recently there has been talk about Christian Horner taking over after his exit from Red Bull.
The former Red Bull boss isn’t expected to get the job though. With Vassuer likely staying on. According to Will Buxton this would be good news for Hamilton who would consider leaving Ferrari if Horner took over.
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