The headlines around Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari shook the Formula 1 world to its core. After over a decade with Mercedes, the seven-time world champion signed with the Prancing Horse for the 2025 season, igniting a wave of excitement and speculation. But just a few races into his Ferrari debut, the dream partnership is facing unexpected turbulence — and now, the reasons behind Hamilton’s early struggles have been exposed.

A Rocky Start at Maranello

Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari was meant to be a new era for both driver and team. With Charles Leclerc as his teammate and a promising car in development, hopes were sky-high. Yet, performance issues have plagued Hamilton since day one. From setup troubles to qualifying disappointments, the British driver has found himself out of rhythm in a car that doesn’t seem to suit his style.

In recent races, Hamilton has failed to consistently finish ahead of Leclerc and has been beaten by mid-field competitors in crucial battles. Behind the scenes, insiders are beginning to reveal what’s really going wrong.

The Car Doesn’t Fit the Driver

Sources close to the Ferrari garage report that Hamilton is struggling to adapt to the SF-25’s handling characteristics. Unlike the Mercedes cars he mastered, Ferrari’s current chassis has a more aggressive front-end and requires a different braking technique — something that doesn’t align with Hamilton’s natural driving instincts.

“Lewis is having to rewire the way he drives,” said a former F1 engineer. “He’s used to a car that rotates a certain way, and Ferrari’s package just isn’t playing to his strengths yet.”

Communication Breakdown?

Another issue reportedly affecting Hamilton’s transition is communication. While Ferrari has made strides in its engineering and operations, its internal culture and language dynamics differ significantly from what Hamilton was accustomed to at Mercedes.

“Lewis has been very vocal about what he needs from the car,” said a paddock source, “but sometimes it feels like things are lost in translation — literally and figuratively.”

Some suggest that there’s still a “getting to know you” period between Hamilton and his new race engineers, which may be slowing the feedback loop essential for rapid development.

Team Dynamics and Leclerc Factor

Adjusting to life alongside Charles Leclerc has also presented its own challenges. Leclerc, already embedded within the Ferrari structure and a fan favorite, knows the team and the car inside-out. While there’s mutual respect between the two drivers, Hamilton has found himself playing catch-up in a squad that’s still adapting to a dual-leader dynamic.

Moreover, Ferrari appears to be walking a tightrope trying to balance both stars without upsetting team harmony or performance focus.

A Setback, Not a Failure

Despite the early stumbles, it’s far from over for Hamilton. He has a track record of turning adversity into motivation, and Ferrari is fully committed to supporting his adaptation. The Italian team is reportedly working on updates tailored to his driving style and improving internal communication channels.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The fairytale hasn’t started the way many imagined, but Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter is still being written. The issues are now exposed — driving style mismatches, communication hurdles, and cultural adaptation — but none are insurmountable. If history has taught F1 fans anything, it’s never to count out Lewis Hamilton.