Lewis Hamilton’s childhood dream of being a Ferrari Formula 1 driver has been more like a nightmare, with the Briton suffering blow after blow since joining the Scuderia.
The 40-year-old finally fulfilled the dream he had as a kid this season after replacing Carlos Sainz in Maranello. But the first 14/24 rounds of the 2025 F1 season have cost Hamilton the smile that appeared impossible to lose during his first days as a Ferrari star back in January.
Hamilton could not stop pinching himself after joining Ferrari, with every part of his new life in Maranello exciting the seven-time champion. That excitement has very much evaporated, with Hamilton suggesting Ferrari should replace him amid his latest sorry display in Hungary.
The Briton has four more victories at the Hungaroring than anyone else in F1 history. Yet the Scuderia saw Charles Leclerc secure pole while Hamilton qualified P12 for the Hungarian GP. The Stevenage-born star would even only finish the race in P12 for his worst finish this term.
Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesLewis Hamilton makes Fred Vasseur a ‘request’ for more influence in Ferrari’s strategies
But, while Hamilton called himself “useless” and he even suggested Ferrari “need to change driver” after Leclerc scored pole in Hungary, the 105-time Grand Prix winner is not throwing in the towel. The opposite is true, as Hamilton is doing all he can to improve his woes in red.
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Position Drivers’ Championship PointsPts 1 284 2 275 3 187 4 172 5 151 6 109
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Hamilton is making an ‘all-out effort’ to not only improve his situation but to help Ferrari grow. The 104-time polesitter has made his position clear to Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur and chairman John Elkann, too, as he seeks big changes.
As well as Hamilton giving Ferrari lengthy documents citing the changes he wants with their car and operationally, the Briton has also submitted a ‘request’ to have a more active role in strategic decisions. Hamilton is also ‘leveraging his vast experience’ to secure more of a say.
Hamilton is eager for Vasseur and Elkann to grant him greater authority over Ferrari’s future car design, but also over the Scuderia’s in-race tactics. He is committed to making his move a success, with Hamilton’s £39m a year Ferrari contract locking him in through at least 2026.
Ferrari have frustrated and cost Lewis Hamilton with their strategic mistakes
Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Hamilton joined Ferrari on an initial two-year contract, which includes an option for 2027, to embed himself in the team and also to influence the Scuderia’s plans for the 2026 F1 engine and aero regulations. But the lows he has endured in 2025 have wiped the smile off his face.
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CategoryLewis HamiltonCharles Leclerc2025 points109151Grand Prix results*211Grand Prix qualifying410Grand Prix wins00Grand Prix poles01Grand Prix podiums05Best finish4th3rdDisqualifications11Retirements00Retirements (classified finish)00Fastest laps00Grand Prix points finishes1212Sprint results21Sprint Qualifying12Sprint wins10Sprint poles10Sprint podiums20The 2025 F1 teammate head-to-head battle of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
*Both Ferrari drivers were disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix
Failing to score a point in the Hungarian GP meant Hamilton hit the summer break just sixth in the F1 drivers’ championship with 109 points from 14 rounds. Leclerc sits fifth with 151 to his name, and the Monegasque has also taken all five of Ferrari’s Grand Prix podium results.
Hamilton’s difficulties adapting to Ferrari’s 2025 F1 car have left him without a podium after the first 10 rounds of a season for the first time. But right from the off, Ferrari’s strategy cost Hamilton in Australia as they waited to pit for intermediate tyres and he fell from P6 to P10.
The Scuderia’s dithering also made him increasingly angry during the Miami Grand Prix after delaying a decision about team orders. As his frustration built, Hamilton told his Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami to “have a tea break” in Miami and “this is not good teamwork”.
Now, he is requesting permission from Vasseur and Elkann to have more of a say in Ferrari’s strategies, which could impact Leclerc’s efforts, as well. Hamilton showed what he can offer strategically with his genius calls to pit early in the Miami Sprint and the Belgian Grand Prix.