Lewis Hamilton Warned of ‘Big Problem’ with Ferrari Move Amid F1 Champion Scrutiny
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 raises several questions about his future in Formula 1, especially after a season filled with doubts about his pace. After years of dominance at Mercedes, Hamilton now faces a pivotal moment in his career. Will joining Ferrari be the spark he needs to reignite his championship hopes, or is he experiencing a decline in performance that could signal the end of an era?
The Struggles: Is Lewis Hamilton Losing His Edge?
Despite continuing to perform well on race days, Hamilton struggled notably in qualifying during the 2024 season alongside teammate George Russell. While Hamilton’s race-day performance remained competitive, Russell outperformed him in qualifying by a significant margin: 19-5 in their head-to-head qualifying sessions. This disparity raised concerns about Hamilton’s ability to consistently extract maximum speed from his Mercedes W15.
In an eye-opening admission during the Qatar GP, Hamilton conceded, “I’m definitely not fast anymore,” signaling an alarming moment of self-doubt. His transparency has led many to wonder whether his struggles are due to a car that simply doesn’t suit him anymore, or if his natural speed has diminished with age as he nears 40.
Mika Hakkinen’s Warning: Speak Up or Step Out
Two-time F1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen shared insights from his own career, noting that he began to lose his edge after back-to-back championships in 1998 and 2000. Hakkinen knew something was wrong when his performance began to fluctuate unpredictably. He admits that he eventually made the decision to retire when he no longer felt he could give his best every race.
“If something similar has happened to him, he has to speak,” Hakkinen remarked, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in a driver’s career. He urged Hamilton to be open with his new team, Ferrari, if he suspects that his speed isn’t what it once was. Acknowledging these internal struggles could be the key to regaining confidence and performance on the track.
Eddie Jordan’s Critical Take: The Psychological Battle
Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan has been outspoken about Hamilton’s mental state, particularly after the seven-time champion admitted his doubts about his own speed. Jordan believes that once a driver loses full belief in themselves, it becomes nearly impossible to perform at their peak. He bluntly stated, “If you don’t believe 100 percent, you’re f**ked,” reinforcing the psychological importance of confidence in F1.
Jordan suggested that Ferrari should seriously reconsider their decision to sign Hamilton if his doubts continue. According to him, the mental aspect of racing is just as important as the physical and technical skill, and Hamilton’s admission of self-doubt could be detrimental to his future with Ferrari.
Ferrari’s Future with Hamilton: The Next Step
As Hamilton prepares for his first season with Ferrari, the team has scheduled testing sessions at Fiorano and Circuit de Catalunya this month. Ferrari’s Project 677 car will be revealed soon, and Hamilton’s performance in these tests will be crucial in determining if he can regain his former championship form.
With the F1 2025 season approaching, Hamilton has a lot to prove, not only to his new team but to himself. Will Ferrari’s new car provide the boost he needs, or will his struggles continue to define his career? Only time will tell.
The pressure is on, and Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 might depend on how well he adapts to Ferrari’s new direction and if he can silence his doubts about his own abilities.
