Hamilton’s Difficult Transition from Ferrari

Emily Olcott

Staff Writer

When Lewis Hamiliton first stepped into the iconic Ferrari garage, it seemed like a fairytale in the making. After nearly 12 seasons with Mercedes, and seven world championships, his sudden 2025 switch to Ferrari seemed like a storybook ending to one of Formula One’s most decorated careers. But as the season unfolds, Hamilton’s new chapter in the Ferrari red has been less of a career revival, but more of an adjustment marked by frustration and unexpected struggles.

The early races revealed what most of the racing world predicted; that Hamilton’s transition would be anything but smooth. The 40-year-old has spoken candidly about his ongoing difficulties adapting to the SF-25, a car that differs drastically from what he’s used to back at Mercedes. “It’s a completely new car, a completely new way of working,” Hamilton told Last Word on Sports earlier this year, noting that he’s “still acclimatizing,” and it can be unpredictable.

One of Hamilton’s biggest headaches is the inconsistency he is experiencing at Ferrari. While this is not a new complaint, especially after hearing Charles Leclerc complain in recent years, it is causing Hamilton unnecessary frustration and impacting his overall performance as problems spark unpredictably. He has experienced struggles in feeling out of the car, with ongoing issues from set-up changes and car upgrades. Both Hamilton and his team on his side of the garage are working to get more comfortable and find a rhythm to produce better results on track.

Beyond the technical issues, Hamilton also faces the challenge of a change in culture and team environment, compared to what he was used to at Mercedes. Ferrari, a team rooted in Italian tradition and emphasis on a team-first operation, remains something that isn’t like how Mercedes operated. While it is unclear how long it may take for him to adjust, once adjusted it may be easier for him to find rhythm in the car and on track.

Hamilton has made it clear that he didn’t come to Ferrari for comfort but instead a challenge. For now, that challenge may be greater than he imagined, but if his career has proven anything, it’s that Hamilton has never been one to shy away from a fight.