Those words reignite optimism among Hamilton enthusiasts.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, is currently facing a challenging season with Ferrari, as his teammate Charles Leclerc has been dominating the performance charts.
In the midst of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Leclerc has outperformed Hamilton in key areas since Hamilton joined Ferrari. As of August 2025, Leclerc has achieved five Grand Prix podiums, while Hamilton is yet to secure any podium in his first 14 races with the team [3].
The qualifying sessions have also been favourable to Leclerc, with a significant lead of 10-4 over Hamilton [4]. Hamilton initially struggled in qualifying compared to Leclerc but has made some progress, starting ahead of him in three out of the last four rounds [1].
The race results have been equally impressive for Leclerc, with an 11-2 advantage over Hamilton in Grand Prix races and a 1-2 lead in sprint races [4]. This dominance is reflected in the championship points standings, with Leclerc on 151 points compared to Hamilton’s 109 points [4].
Hamilton's struggles are not just limited to races and qualifying. He has only won the sprint race in Shanghai this season and has yet to secure a podium finish [1]. His qualifying for the race at the Hungaroring saw him start in 12th place, while Leclerc secured pole position [1].
Hamilton's comments about his performance have sparked speculation about his potential retirement, with the driver expressing feelings of being "useless" after qualifying 12th while his teammate secured pole position [1]. He has been hard on himself after races, stating "It's always me" [1].
Despite these challenges, Hamilton has not lost his love for racing. He said he still loves racing, but his comments were quiet and indistinct [1]. He added that if he has a feeling, he has a feeling, leaving room for interpretation [1].
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur believes Hamilton will continue racing. Vasseur stated that Hamilton's attitude is to push everyone and that he is working hard to adapt to the Ferrari SF-25 car, which he describes as "alien and unfamiliar" [1]. Hamilton has been experimenting with setup changes to close the gap to Leclerc's driving style [1].
Despite the current challenges, it's clear that Hamilton's legacy in Formula 1 is secure. As the sole record holder for wins and pole positions, he remains a force to be reckoned with. However, the midpoint of the 2025 season has seen Leclerc take the lead in their rivalry within Ferrari.
[1] Sky Sports UK [2] Motorsport.com [3] Formula1.com [4] GrandPrix247.com
In the midst of the race track, hockey matches seem to be an invigorating escape for Lewis Hamilton, offering a contrast to his challenging Formula 1 season with Ferrari. With Leclerc dominating the performance charts in both Formula 1 and their rivalry, one could only wonder if a change in sport might spark a resurgence for Hamilton.
