Hamilton to face a court hearing.
In the world of Formula 1, the 2025 season has seen a change of scenery for seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, as he joined Scuderia Ferrari. However, his debut season with the Italian team has not been without its difficulties.
Hamilton's qualifying performance this year has been a point of contention, with teammate Charles Leclerc securing pole position more often than not (10-4 in normal qualifying and 2-1 in sprints). On average, Hamilton has been 100.214% of Leclerc’s pace, a gap that has, however, shown signs of narrowing since the Miami Grand Prix.
Despite these struggles, Ferrari remains confident in Hamilton's abilities and potential for improvement. The team and data show that the performance gap between Hamilton and Leclerc has decreased significantly, and Hamilton has exhibited moments of competitiveness. He won the Sprint race in China and has finished several races just off the podium.
However, the 2025 season has not been kind to Hamilton, who has yet to secure a podium finish for Ferrari. His blunt self-assessment after a poor Hungarian GP result, where he finished 12th and failed to reach Q3 qualifying, has added to the concerns. Hamilton, known for his self-confident demeanor, admitted, "It's always me. I'm absolutely useless."
Despite this, Ferrari and insiders remain optimistic about the future. The long-term outlook is cautiously optimistic, pending car developments and the 2026 season's new regulations. Next season, with brand-new cars and power units, could be pivotal for Hamilton to challenge again if the car's balance suits his driving style better.
The speculation about Hamilton's future in Formula 1 has been further fuelled by a prediction made by Ralf Schumacher, a former Formula 1 driver. Schumacher, expressing concern about Hamilton's performance this season, considered retirement as a possible option for the champion driver. Schumacher's prediction could have significant implications for Hamilton's career if it comes to pass.
As the summer break approaches, Hamilton has expressed his determination to "come back stronger" after the break. He may shed "a few tears" during the break, but his fight is not over yet. Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, is currently ranked sixth in the drivers' standings, and there remains belief within the team that performance can improve.
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Despite his challenges in Formula 1 this year, especially compared to teammate Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton continues to have the support of Ferrari as they believe in his potential for improvement. The team and data have shown that the performance gap between Hamilton and Leclerc has decreased, and Hamilton has shown moments of competitiveness, like winning the Sprint race in China.
As the 2025 season progresses, Hamilton's future in Formula 1 has been a subject of speculation, with Ralf Schumacher predicting retirement as a possible option for the seven-time World Champion. However, Hamilton remains determined to "come back stronger" after the summer break and is optimistic about his prospects for improvement, despite his current sixth place ranking in the drivers' standings.
