Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was historic and groundbreaking, but as the 2025 F1 season progresses, there’s growing discourse. Will Hamilton grab his elusive eighth title with the iconic prancing horses, or is it a case of simply no longer having the speed to do so?
It started with historic photoshoots in front of Enzo Ferrari’s home, test drives in Fiorano that brought hoards of Tifosi and a smile on the seven-time world champion that hadn’t been seen since his title leading days.
The season came with an overwhelming buzz of excitement. The new beginning coming with the hopes of bringing Ferrari back to the top step accompanied by one of the greatest names in Formula 1 history.
Hopes quickly plummeted. If a disqualification and Q2 exits weren’t enough to discourage the Brit, weekend after weekend of struggles has left Hamilton looking and sounding demoralised.
In the European triple-header, it became especially prevalent. While his teammate Charles Leclerc came away from the three events with two podiums. Hamilton struggled for race pace, car balance and tyre management.
Hamilton was clearly dejected about the struggles he faced.
Online presence
Then, in the week break before the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton’s online presence caught the attention. Driver’s liking posts is nothing new in the world of social media, but it was the caption on this post that turned heads.
The content creator under the handle ‘Ferraripilots’ wrote:
“There’s a deep sense of disappointment watching Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari unfold this season.
“While the hope for his historic 8th World Championship remains alive, the reality is increasingly difficult to ignore. The partnership, though iconic on paper, has so far failed to deliver on track.
“Ferrari’s current car package lacks the consistency and pace Lewis needs. Beyond technical issues, there appears to be a growing disconnect — from strategy calls to team communication. It’s also clear that cultural differences may be playing a role; Lewis, a seasoned British driver, now operates in an environment dominated by Italian structure and style — and that adaptation hasn’t been smooth.
“So far, his only podium came in a sprint race. Since then, it’s been a slide back into the midfield, most notably finishing P8 — far from where a seven-time world champion belongs.
“As fans, we still believe in his ability to make history. But this season proves: legacy alone doesn’t win races — performance and synergy do.”
Lewis Hamilton liked the post, and although he later unliked it, a sign of a possible accident, it doesn’t take away from the lingering truth.
Ferrari v Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton left a team he’d grown with, who had brought him success over years of partnership. Mercedes were made into a staple of Formula 1 due to Hamilton’s role in the team and the success shared together.
However, with Ferrari, the environment is vastly different. Ferrari are Formula 1. Their brand, a force unto itself and while Hamilton is bigger than the sport, the prancing horses are too.
Not only were they a team built on Italian tradition and Tifosi’s hopes, they already had their present and future there in the shape of Charles Leclerc. The driver from Monaco is one of the strongest on the grid right now, too.
All assumptions were that Hamilton’s tenure at Ferrari would be short, and a way to end his career with every driver’s dream of wearing red.
The seven-time F1 World champion is struggling in the SF-25, having to settle for some eighth places instead of going for an eighth title, and it seems no solution is on the horizon.
The Brit can only hope that, in the new regulations of 2026, comes stability and speed from the Italian garage, that communication comes over time, and the dynamics ease; trading awkward radio messages for a race winning, well oiled machine.
However, in the current state of affairs the elusive eighth crown feels as though it’s slipping away.
