BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton’s crisis of confidence Derailing ‘Fairytale’ Move… Read more
Lewis Hamilton’s Struggles at Ferrari: Confidence Crisis Derailing ‘Fairytale’ Move
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari was billed as a dream partnership — a seven-time world champion driving for Formula 1’s most iconic team. Yet, less than a season into the venture, the narrative has shifted dramatically. What was meant to be a fairytale has, according to former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, turned into something of a nightmare.
Steiner believes the root cause is simple: Hamilton has lost faith in himself. Speaking to Web.de, he explained, “If you no longer believe in yourself, you can’t perform. When his move to Ferrari was announced, there was massive hype — I was excited too. But when reality doesn’t match expectations, confidence takes a hit.”
The numbers tell a troubling story. Fourteen Grands Prix into the 2025 season, Hamilton has yet to secure a podium finish. While Ferrari’s inconsistent car performance and questionable strategic calls have played their part, the Briton’s own form has faltered. His own damning assessment after a poor Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session summed it up in one word: “Useless.”
Decline Set In Before Ferrari
Hamilton’s struggles are not entirely new. His final years at Mercedes were marked by frustration and disappointment. Once the undisputed king of the grid, he increasingly cut a dejected figure as he came to terms with being knocked off the top spot in Formula 1.
That’s why his two victories in 2024 — particularly the triumphant moment at Silverstone in front of his home crowd — felt so significant. It was a glimpse of the spark that had been missing. He capped off the year with a stellar performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, storming from 16th to finish fourth in his farewell race with Mercedes.
Ferrari’s grand unveiling of Hamilton early in 2025 was met with excitement, with the Briton speaking passionately about fulfilling his childhood dream. Unfortunately, that moment has proven to be the high point of his tenure with the Scuderia so far.
A Shadow of His Former Self
Observers have noted that Hamilton now appears not just off the pace, but resigned. The fire and frustration that once drove his comebacks seem replaced by quiet acceptance of his struggles. While his age — now 40 — has led some to question whether he can still compete at the very top, others, like Steiner, insist that the real issue lies in confidence rather than capability.
The challenge is compounded by the weight of expectation. Ferrari fans had hoped Hamilton would deliver immediate results, and the pressure of meeting those hopes seems to have added to the mental strain.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Despite speculation that Hamilton might walk away from Ferrari before the end of his contract, the Briton appears committed to the long game. He is already focused on positioning himself for success in 2026, when Formula 1 will introduce new engine regulations expected to shake up the competitive order.
Hamilton’s 105 career wins and unmatched experience could give him a crucial advantage if rivals struggle to adapt to the changes. If he can rediscover his self-belief, the current season may ultimately be remembered as a difficult chapter before one last historic triumph.
For now, the fairytale is on pause — but in Formula 1, stories can turn quickly, and Hamilton has made a career out of proving doubters wrong.
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