Just a few races into the 2025 Formula 1 season, it’s becoming clear that Lewis Hamilton’s highly-anticipated move to Ferrari is already losing its shine. The seven-time world champion, hailed as the missing piece in Ferrari’s championship puzzle, now finds himself battling more with team politics and car inconsistency than rival drivers. The romantic narrative of Hamilton in red has quickly shifted from a fairy tale to a sobering reality check.
Ferrari promised Hamilton the tools to mount an eighth title challenge, but so far, it looks like they’ve overpromised and underdelivered. The SF-25 has shown flashes of pace but remains plagued by tire degradation and a still-fragile strategy department that continues to trip over itself at crucial moments. Hamilton’s body language in the paddock—once glowing with anticipation—now tells a story of growing frustration and thinly veiled disappointment.
Internally, whispers are already emerging about a tense dynamic between Hamilton and team principal Frédéric Vasseur. While both insist there’s mutual respect, sources suggest disagreements on race strategy and car development are surfacing more frequently behind closed doors. It’s a bitter déjà vu for Hamilton, who left Mercedes in search of a fresh challenge—only to find himself stuck in another political minefield with no clear way out.
Even more contentious is the looming power struggle with Charles Leclerc, the darling of Ferrari’s Tifosi and a driver unwilling to be cast into a supporting role. The team’s decision to alternate favored strategies between the two has already led to confusion and passive-aggressive radio exchanges. Fans and pundits alike are questioning whether this partnership can survive a full season without imploding.
For all the glamour surrounding his switch, Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter is rapidly becoming a cautionary tale. Is this just early turbulence on the road to glory, or is the legend of Hamilton’s career about to suffer its first truly sour ending? The F1 world is watching—and debating—as the dream drive shows signs of becoming a nightmare.