Hamilton’s Decline: End of a Golden Era at Ferrari?
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari generated unprecedented anticipation. The image of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, in his new red suit, alongside his teammate Charles Leclerc and team boss Frédéric Vasseur, was an iconic moment. The fans were expecting the start of a new era, but the reality has turned out to be much more somber.The atmosphere at Ferrari during the presentation of the single-seater for the season was euphoric. Hamilton, after his move from Mercedes, seemed revitalized. The union of the most successful driver with the most emblematic team in the sport promised to break a title drought that had been going on since 2008. Hamilton himself was “invigorated” by the challenge, confident in the performance of the new car after the tests in Fiorano.
However, the initial euphoria has given way to disappointment. What promised to be a resounding success has turned into a shadow of what was expected. McLaren’s performance has exceeded expectations, and Ferrari’s results, with a victory in the China sprint race and a few podiums for Leclerc, are scarce compared to expectations. Hamilton’s situation has noticeably worsened. His comments in Budapest, where he called himself “absolutely useless”, have set off alarms. The driver, known for his professionalism, seemed resigned, even suggesting that the team “needed to change drivers”. After finishing in 12th place, his mood didn’t improve. “There are many things going on in the background… that are not good,” he said cryptically. When asked about the Dutch Grand Prix, he responded with an uncertain “I hope to return, yes.” Ferrari’s home race, the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, was coming a week later. Given this situation, it’s hard to believe how quickly things have changed. While Hamilton has repeatedly said his focus is to be fully integrated for the 2026 regulation change, he’s not talking or driving like a man capable of facing that challenge if it happens. Leclerc’s situation was not ideal either. Although he achieved pole position, his race was a reflection of the frustration the team is experiencing. His radio messages showed the loss of competitiveness of the car. Despite this, Leclerc tried to downplay his criticisms, but the dynamic of criticizing and retracting is already known. The image of a defeated Hamilton is worrying. His comments seem to indicate that he is considering throwing in the towel. Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes, acknowledged Hamilton’s emotional transparency, but also his tendency towards self-criticism. The question now is whether Hamilton, with all his talent and experience, still believes in his ability to win with Ferrari. Of all the concerns at Ferrari, that could be the most alarming.
