BREAKING: Sebastian Vettel Defends Lewis Hamilton’s Adaptation at Ferrari: “He’s W…read more
Sebastian Vettel Supports Lewis Hamilton’s Transition to Ferrari: “He’s Putting in a Lot of Work”
Sebastian Vettel has voiced his support for Lewis Hamilton as the seven-time world champion continues to adjust to life at Ferrari.
After a highly anticipated move from Mercedes, Hamilton’s 2025 season has gotten off to a rocky start. Neither he nor teammate Charles Leclerc has reached the podium in the first four races, and Hamilton has been outperformed by Leclerc in all but one weekend—where even then, Leclerc still finished ahead despite damage, before both were disqualified in China.
Vettel, a four-time champion and former Ferrari driver, acknowledged the challenge of switching teams and environments, stressing that full adaptation takes time.
“It’s a big change,” Vettel said. “There’s a new culture, a new car, and a different way of working. It’s not just about how the car drives it’s about everything around it.”
He pointed out that even small adjustments like changes to the steering wheel—can demand more mental energy, especially after so many years with a familiar setup at Mercedes.
“When you’ve done things one way for so long, those changes take time. You lose some of that mental capacity that used to be automatic, so it’s natural it’ll take a while,” Vettel explained.
Hamilton has spoken about the challenges of adapting, particularly after finishing fifth in Bahrain. He admitted the transition has been more demanding than expected, with qualifying continuing to be a weak spot.
Vettel, however, remains confident that Hamilton will overcome these hurdles.
“He sets high standards for himself, so I know he’s not satisfied right now. But he’s not the most successful driver in history by accident—he’s incredibly capable,” Vettel said.
“He’s working really hard to sort things out, to get comfortable, and to unlock his full potential again. It’s just a matter of time before he’s back at the level he wants to be.”
Ferrari is hoping Hamilton’s adjustment phase ends soon, as they aim to return to form and compete with Red Bull and McLaren for podiums as the season progresses.
