Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari was perhaps the most shocking driver transfer in recent F1 history, but so far has failed to deliver as we are mid-season in 2025. With 103 points in 12 races, Hamilton is sixth in the championship, 16 points behind team mate Charles Leclerc.
High hopes
Before the season kicked-off, the hopes were high, as Ferrari came fresh off a season where they were 16 points short of the world constructors’ championship. Add Hamilton’s skills and stats, and the dream of an eight title came to life. However, as soon as the circus arrived in, it became clear that another title fight would be a big challenge. Eighth on the grid, tenth at the finish, and Leclerc wasn’t that much better.
A glimmer of hope showed up in China when he took sprint pole and managed to bring the sprint victory home. But the Grand Prix proper turned out to be a disaster. He managed to out-qualify Leclerc, but the young Moneqasque had the better of Hamilton in the race, before both Ferrari’s eventually were disqualified.
Unusually disheartened Hamilton
Hamilton’s season got progressively worse from this point onwards. Seventh in Japan, fifth in Bahrain, seventh again in Saudi-Arabia and eight in Miami, whereas Leclerc scored Ferrari’s first podium of the season in Jeddah.
And while the SF-25 isn’t as good as its predecessor, the gap between Hamilton and Leclerc brought out an unusually disheartened side of Hamilton. Clearly having difficulties to come to peace with the Ferrari, he failed to convey any hope or optimism for the future.
The Ferrari engine in particular proves a challenge for the seven-time champ, as he has only driven with Mercedes power unit’s throughout his F1 career. And while teething issues are to be expected at a new team, the gap between Leclerc and Hamilton was bigger than most expected.
Are the years catching up?
Beating Leclerc in Imola gave a temporary morale boost, but until the championship arrived in Silverstone, the intra-team battle was a one-sided affair. Leclerc scored three podiums, including a second place in Monaco, whereas Hamilton could only muster fourth in Austria. Again behind Leclerc.
And this begs the question: is age catching up with the statistical best ever in F1? It’s not catastrophic what Hamilton is displaying, but the relentlessness of the second half of the 2010’s seems long gone. And with Leclerc positioning himself firmly in the position of team leader, the call for Hamilton’s retirement is heard more often.
Upward momentum at mid-season
Luckily for Hamilton there is always Silverstone. His home track, where he won a record nine times, finished on the podium for 11 consecutive times and always seems to give him something extra. Was this the race where we saw Hamilton turn his momentum around?
Starting off the weekend strong with a first place in practice, he finally managed to beat Leclerc again in qualifying. It was just for fifth on the grid, but during a race where the weather was classically Bri’ish, the Stevenage-native showed why he is always a force to be reckoned with at Silvestone.
He clawed his way back into fourth behind an unleashed Nico Hülkenberg, whereas team mate Leclerc fell for gimmicky tactics and sloppy mistakes. Wasn’t it for a small detour after his final stop, a 12th consecutive podium might have been on the table, but nonetheless it showed that Hamilton still has skills.
What’s next this year
Looking forward from the mid-season point towards the conclusion of the 2025 season, Hamilton does need to step up his game. But with some of his favourite hunting grounds coming, such as the Hungaroring and the Circuit of the Americas, there is plenty of room for him to close the 16 point gap to Leclerc.
A gap that is not all that big, considering Leclerc knows the team in-and-out, and the fact that Hamilton has never driver with Ferrari engines before. And with the gap on track closing, Leclerc better starts to watch over his shoulder. Because if your gap to a disheartened Hamilton is just 16 points, a confident Hamilton will close that gap in the blink of an eye.
