Lewis Hamilton isn't delivering in his Ferrari. © APA/afp / SIMON WOHLFAHRT

A misunderstanding? Hamilton in the crossfire of criticism

Lewis Hamilton is unrecognizable. Little remains of the initial euphoria following his spectacular switch from Mercedes to Ferrari.

July 28, 2025

From: dpa/dl

His disastrous mistakes behind the wheel are clearly taking their toll on the Formula 1 record world champion, and the bleak prospects for quick success are dampening his spirits. "He lacks self-confidence," said Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur about his superstar before the race in Spa-Francorchamps.

Hamilton's start from the pit lane after an engine change at the Belgian Grand Prix and spectacularly romped to seventh place did provide a brief moment of happiness. But such results aren't what Hamilton, at 40, is still racing for, and what he took the leap to the world's most famous racing team this winter. He wants to become the first driver ever to win eight world championship titles, surpassing Michael Schumacher. This year, that won't happen for the sixth-placed driver in the overall standings.

Teammate shows Hamilton how it's done

"He has to start making an effort now, otherwise people will lose faith in him," said Günther Steiner. The former Haas team boss now works as a TV pundit for RTL and was clear about the Briton Hamilton: "I expected a bit more. I expected him to be able to keep up with Charles, but he's quite far from that."

Charles Leclerc is significantly faster than Hamilton. © APA/afp / SIMON WOHLFAHRT

Teammate Charles Leclerc finished a strong third at Spa, even finishing ahead of world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. "I'm very happy with the podium. But we're not satisfied; we want more," said the Monegasque. While Leclerc is stabilizing, Hamilton is primarily fighting a battle against himself. Because he can't fulfill his own expectations at the Scuderia, the veteran driver is making life difficult for himself with mistakes.

Hamilton self-critical

"I really need to take a look inside myself," Hamilton said on Saturday in Belgium. Twice in a row, he had been eliminated early in qualifying outside the top 15 – both times due to avoidable errors of his own. "It's devastating for the team; you can't accept a result like that," Hamilton said, adding, referring to Leclerc: "One car delivers, the other doesn't. That's unacceptable, and I'm truly sorry about that."

It's been exactly one year since Hamilton's last victory. On July 28, 2024, he won his 105th Grand Prix in a Mercedes, a feat no other can match. Now it's time for the next step up on Sunday (15.00:9 p.m./Sky) in Hungary. Hamilton has already won eight times in Budapest, and his nine pole positions at the track are also unmatched. "I have more confidence now," said Hamilton after his effortless comeback in Spa.

"One car delivers, the other doesn't. This is unacceptable, and I'm truly sorry." Lewis Hamilton

This was urgently needed, as he had moved as inconspicuously as possible through the paddock in the Ardennes the previous week. Hamilton kept his helmet on for a long time, almost seeming to hide from the fans. Italian sports media were already writing about a "nightmare weekend" and a "disaster" before the 13th of a total of 24 World Championship races this year, but at least he managed to end the race on a somewhat conciliatory note with a few World Championship points.

Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari: Will this still work? © APA/afp / SIMON WOHLFAHRT

"Lewis Hamilton is making amends for the disastrous Formula 1 weekend in Belgium," the English newspaper "The Sun" subsequently judged, and the Italian "Corriere dello Sport" wrote: "Lewis Hamilton is celebrating an incredible comeback." Seven-time world champion Hamilton himself judged: "The other two days were pretty awful, now I'm much happier."

“He lacks self-confidence” Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur

New technical improvements are expected to help Ferrari gain further momentum. Thanks to a new rear suspension, it was already evident at Spa that this seems to be working, at least in small steps. However, the gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren, who won in Belgium, remains large.

"Without the upgrades, the podium wouldn't have been possible," said Leclerc. Hamilton, who was also assigned an additional engineer at Spa, added: "I've gained a lot of insight and believe the next race will be better."