Lewis Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes—where he spent nearly 20 years of his career—to Ferrari has proven a far tougher adjustment than many anticipated.

After a glittering 12-season run with Mercedes and prior years at McLaren, Hamilton joined Ferrari in the 2025 season amid huge expectations but has struggled to find consistent form. 

Ferrari’s 2025 car, the SF-25, has presented unique challenges, and Hamilton has been outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc, without standing on a grand prix podium after 14 races. 

Fred Vasseur conceded that the scale of the change was likely underestimated on all sides. “He spent almost 10 years with McLaren and then 10 years with Mercedes, that’s almost 20 years in the same environment,” Vasseur said.

This meant not just adjusting to a new car, but embracing a distinct culture, different team dynamics, software, and engineering philosophy, each element representing a significant departure from Hamilton’s earlier environment.

Frustrations, Growth, and Team Principal’s Support

Hamilton’s frustrations have been apparent to all, culminating in candid moments like after the Hungarian Grand Prix where he called himself “useless” and suggested Ferrari might “probably change driver.”

Despite this, Vasseur maintains that these emotions reflect a driven, demanding competitor who is far from demotivated. “He’s frustrated but not demotivated, it’s a completely different story... He’s very demanding—especially with himself,” Vasseur explained, emphasizing that such exacting standards have contributed to Hamilton’s past successes. 

While acknowledging the difficult start, Vasseur highlighted improvements over recent races: “I’m very, very pleased because in the last four or five races he was back into the pace.”

Ferrari continues to back Hamilton fully, working on solutions to help him gel better with the car and team ahead of the season’s second half. 

What Lies Ahead: Looking Beyond Early Struggles

Hamilton’s first half of 2025 has been marked by lows and rare highs, including a sprint race victory in China but mostly frustrating results. He currently trails team leader Leclerc significantly in the standings.

However, both Hamilton and Ferrari remain committed to overcoming the obstacles. “We are going in the right direction,” Vasseur affirmed, citing ongoing development and teamwork.

The summer break offers Hamilton a crucial chance to recharge mentally and physically after an intense start to the year. Despite speculation about his future sparked by his candid comments, he has reaffirmed his desire to continue racing and intends to return reinvigorated for upcoming races. 

Hamilton’s transition underscores the reality that even the greatest champions face monumental challenges when stepping into new environments—especially one as iconic and demanding as Ferrari.

The remainder of the 2025 season will reveal whether this high-profile partnership can fulfill its immense promise.