Hamilton takes 'extreme' Ferrari beating as quit fears gr...

Hamilton Facing Tough Start at Ferrari, Exit Rumors Intensify

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has not started the way many had hoped, and now there are growing concerns that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion may walk away from the team—possibly as early as this season.

The 40-year-old British driver, who made the high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, has been visibly struggling to adapt to his new environment. Despite his rich experience and a long history of overcoming challenges in different teams, Hamilton has failed to gel with Ferrari’s latest car, the SF-25. His performances so far have left fans and pundits questioning whether he has the motivation to keep pushing through what is shaping up to be a tough debut year with the Italian giants.

On Sky Sports Germany’s F1 podcast Backstage Boxengasse, former F1 driver and current analyst Ralf Schumacher weighed in on Hamilton’s current struggles. Schumacher believes that unless there are significant improvements over the next few races, Hamilton could seriously consider leaving Ferrari prematurely. According to Schumacher, Hamilton’s body language and post-race interviews indicate a deep level of frustration, possibly even a sense of defeat that hasn’t been seen from the British star in recent years.

The contrast between Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc has only highlighted his difficult start. Leclerc, now in his seventh season with Ferrari, appears far more comfortable and confident behind the wheel of the SF-25. His recent P3 finish in Jeddah showcased the car’s potential, earning Ferrari their first podium of the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Hamilton managed only P7, a result that seemed to weigh heavily on him.

Following the race in Saudi Arabia, Hamilton didn’t hide his disappointment. “Clearly the car is capable of being P3, so Charles did a great job today,” he admitted. “I can’t blame it on the car.” This statement marked a significant shift in tone. Previously, Hamilton had often pointed to the car’s limitations when discussing poor performances. Now, he seems to acknowledge that the issue may lie more with his own adjustment to the team and the machinery.

Hamilton’s struggles raise broader questions about his future in the sport. Having dominated with Mercedes for the better part of a decade, this new chapter at Ferrari was meant to be a fresh challenge and potentially a fairy-tale ending to his legendary career. Instead, it’s looking more like a nightmare scenario, with his legacy at risk of being tarnished by a disappointing final act.

As the F1 season progresses, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see if he can bounce back—or if he decides to make a shock early exit from Ferrari.