Lewis Hamilton’s start to life at Ferrari hasn’t gone to plan, and it’s already leading some to wonder whether the 40-year-old is thinking about stepping away from Formula 1.
He made the switch to the Scuderia before the 2025 season, hoping that a fresh start in Maranello would help him get back to the front after three tough years with Mercedes. But things haven’t improved – in fact, it’s been his slowest start to a campaign yet.
Before pulling on Ferrari red, Hamilton had always found his way onto the podium within the first 10 races of a season. Now, in his 19th year on the grid and well past that mark without a top-three finish for his new team, it marks a first.
He sits sixth in the drivers’ standings with just over 100 points. That’s his lowest total after 12 rounds since Formula One introduced its current scoring system back in 2010. This comes even though there have been two sprints this year, including one where Hamilton picked up a win in China.
Dino Beganovic surprised by Lewis Hamilton’s drive for eighth F1 title at Ferrari
Hamilton couldn’t believe the turnout when he first arrived at Ferrari, with thousands of Tifosi packing the streets around Fiorano to catch a glimpse of him in red. But this season is also the first time since 2010 that Hamilton hasn’t reached 100 points after the opening 12 Grands Prix.
Beganovic explained to RacingNews365: “There is a lot to take out of how Charles [Leclerc] is working with the team [and] how Lewis is working with the team. Obviously, he’s won seven world championships in Formula 1 and plenty of races.
“So, the way of working, it’s not different because we are all still hungry to win. But I’m just impressed by how hungry he is at the age he is, pushing so hard to get Ferrari to the top, but also to get himself to that eighth [title].”
Lewis Hamilton’s age is often cited for his problems at Ferrari, and even at Mercedes
Hamilton’s age has regularly been cited as one of the reasons for his problems at Ferrari this term. Even ex-Scuderia chief Mattia Binotto believes Hamilton is ‘at the end’ of his F1 career and stated that it would have been ‘ideal’ if Ferrari had signed the Briton a few years earlier.
James Allen has suggested that Hamilton will never admit that his age is causing his decline, which may only truly be evident if Ferrari can produce a title-winning car during the Briton’s career in Maranello. The Scuderia have not won a drivers’ or teams’ title since 2007 or 2008.
Even Felipe Massa hinted Hamilton’s age was a problem at Mercedes after seeing the seven-time champion no longer display all of the ‘exceptional’ traits that took him to huge success. He especially noted that George Russell won their qualifying head-to-head 18-6 last season.
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