Halfway through the 2025 Formula 1 season, after the British Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, reviewed his first season with Ferrari, the team he joined after 12 years with Mercedes. The British driver, who faced challenges adapting to the SF-25 car, stated he is not driving poorly but acknowledged the need for vehicle adjustments to achieve more significant results. The statement came after the 12th race of the championship, held at Silverstone, where Hamilton finished among the top six, maintaining recent consistency. Improving car stability and performance in qualifying sessions are priorities for the driver, who aims to evolve in the second half of the year. The Belgian Grand Prix, the next event on the calendar, is scheduled for July 25-27 at Spa-Francorchamps.
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari sparked high expectations among fans and experts, but the initial results fell short of projections. Charles Leclerc, his teammate, leads the internal competition with a 16-point advantage and has secured all four podiums for the Italian team so far. Despite this, Hamilton highlighted progress since the seventh race, showing greater consistency.
- Initial challenges: The first six races were marked by adaptation difficulties, with a highlight being the sprint race win in China.
- Gradual improvement: Since the Emilia-Romagna GP, Hamilton has consistently finished among the top six.
- Focus on stability: The driver emphasized the need for a more balanced car, especially in low-speed corners.
- Next steps: The two-week break will be used for adjustments at Ferrari’s factory.
The 2025 season has been a transitional period for the seven-time champion, who seeks to solidify his position in the new team.
Seeing Double 👥 pic.twitter.com/EmmrF6dhBp
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 14, 2025
Adapting to the new environment
Hamilton faced a challenging scenario when leaving Mercedes, where he won six of his seven world titles. The move to Ferrari, announced in early 2024, was a milestone in his career but required significant adjustments. The SF-25 car, while competitive, presented limitations that impacted performance in the early races. The Briton noted that inconsistent qualifying sessions have been a hurdle, especially compared to Leclerc, who adapted more quickly to the equipment.
However, Hamilton remains undeterred. In interviews after the British GP, he emphasized that the team has been working diligently to improve the car. The two-week break before the Belgian GP will be crucial for analysis and testing at the factory, focusing on mechanical adjustments to enhance vehicle balance.
Performance in the first half of the season
The 2025 Formula 1 season began with high expectations for Hamilton, but the early results reflected adaptation challenges. In the first six races, his best result was fifth place in the Bahrain GP, alongside the sprint race win in China. From the Emilia-Romagna GP, the seventh race, Hamilton’s performance improved, with consistent finishes among the top five or six.
Despite the progress, the Briton has yet to secure a podium in the main races, in contrast to Leclerc, who has four podiums. The 16-point gap between the Ferrari drivers highlights the intense internal competition. Hamilton remains focused on improving his qualifying performance, a critical factor for securing better starting positions.
- Sprint race: The China sprint win was the early season highlight.
- Consistent results: Since May, Hamilton has finished every race among the top six.
- Qualifying challenges: The driver noted difficulties in extracting the car’s full potential during qualifying sessions.
- Comparison with Leclerc: The Monegasque leads the internal battle with greater consistency.
The quest for car stability
A central point in Hamilton’s comments after the British GP was the need for a more stable car. The SF-25, according to the driver, performs well in some areas but lacks balance in low-speed corners. This characteristic has limited the car’s potential, particularly on circuits requiring precise trajectories.
Hamilton noted that Ferrari has been investing in detailed analyses to identify areas for improvement. During the break before the Belgian GP, the team plans to make adjustments to the car, aiming to enhance consistency in qualifying and main races. The driver also mentioned that some elements of the current car will not carry over to the 2026 project, indicating Ferrari’s plans for significant changes next season.
Comparison with the teammate
The internal competition at Ferrari has been a highlight of the 2025 season. Charles Leclerc, already with the team before Hamilton’s arrival, has shown greater ease in extracting the SF-25’s potential. His four podiums contrast with Hamilton’s lack of podiums in main races. Despite this, the Briton maintains a collaborative approach, emphasizing that the team works together to improve overall performance.
The 16-point gap reflects Leclerc’s edge, but Hamilton believes that with car adjustments and further adaptation, he can close the distance. The two-week break will be a strategic moment to align strategies and seek solutions that benefit both drivers.
Preparation for the Belgian Grand Prix
The Belgian Grand Prix, scheduled for July 25-27, will be the next opportunity for Hamilton and Ferrari to show progress. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, known for its long straights and challenging corners, demands a well-balanced car, which Hamilton highlighted as a priority. The team plans to use the break between races for testing and adjustments to improve performance in qualifying and the main race.
Hamilton also stressed the importance of factory work during the break. Collaboration with engineers will be key to identifying solutions to enhance the SF-25’s competitiveness. The expectation is that the planned adjustments will yield positive results in the second half of the season.
Ferrari’s technical evolution
Ferrari has faced an up-and-down 2025 season. While Leclerc has secured podiums, the team has yet to match the consistency of rivals like Red Bull and McLaren. Hamilton believes the car’s potential remains untapped, particularly in qualifying sessions.
Ferrari’s engineers are focused on improving aerodynamic balance and traction in low-speed corners. These changes are seen as critical for the team to compete for wins in upcoming races. Hamilton, with his experience, has provided detailed feedback to guide the car’s development.
Expectations for the second half of the season
With 12 races remaining in the 2025 season, Hamilton remains optimistic. He believes the consistency achieved since the Emilia-Romagna GP can be built upon with the planned adjustments. Ferrari, meanwhile, is working to close the gap to the leading teams in the constructors’ championship.
The seven-time champion noted that the break before the Belgian GP will be a pivotal moment to align strategies and implement improvements. Collaboration between drivers, engineers, and the technical team will be essential to maximize the SF-25’s performance in the upcoming races.
Challenging circuits ahead
The 2025 season features circuits that will test Ferrari’s performance. Spa-Francorchamps, with its unique characteristics, will be a significant test for the planned car changes. Other circuits, such as Monza and Suzuka, are also on the team’s radar as they aim for strong results on traditional Formula 1 tracks.
Hamilton, known for his skill on technical circuits, sees these races as opportunities to demonstrate progress. The combination of car adjustments and the driver’s experience could be a differentiator in the pursuit of better positions.
