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Vettel Blames Hamilton for His Title Drought at Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel has pointed to Lewis Hamilton as the key reason behind his failure to secure a fifth Formula 1 world title during his time at Ferrari. The German driver, who won four consecutive championships with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, moved to Ferrari in 2015, hoping to bring the Scuderia back to championship glory. However, despite coming close in 2017 and 2018, he was unable to overcome Hamilton’s dominance with Mercedes.
During Vettel’s tenure at Ferrari, Hamilton was at the peak of his career, winning five world titles from 2014 to 2020. In addition, Hamilton’s former teammate, Nico Rosberg, clinched the championship in 2016, making Mercedes the team to beat in that era. The Silver Arrows’ superiority was largely attributed to the regulatory changes introduced in 2014, which gave them a significant advantage over their rivals.
Speaking on the BBC podcast Sportsworld, Vettel reflected on his time at Ferrari and how Hamilton’s success played a major role in his inability to add to his championship tally.
“Well, for me, it didn’t quite work out [winning a title at Ferrari] because Lewis was there,” Vettel admitted. “Let’s see now how he will get on. But yeah, my fingers are crossed. I have obviously raced him for a long time, and we get along really well.”
Despite their on-track battles, Vettel praised Hamilton, acknowledging his immense skill and influence within the sport. “He is by far the most outspoken driver on the grid at the moment. His on-track skills don’t need to be repeated—the statistics speak for themselves. But it’s great to see that he’s still competing and using his influence in a positive way.”
Vettel’s comments come as Hamilton embarks on a new chapter in his career, having made a dramatic switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season. Now 40 years old, Hamilton is aiming to secure a record-breaking eighth world title and help Ferrari win their first championship since 2008. Partnering Charles Leclerc, Hamilton is under pressure to deliver success to the passionate Ferrari fanbase.
However, his start with the Italian team has been far from ideal. While he secured victory in the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton has struggled in the main events, earning just a single point from the opening two races of the season. To make matters worse, both he and Leclerc were disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix after their skid blocks were found to have excessive wear.
As Hamilton continues to adapt to his new team, fans and analysts are eager to see whether he can replicate his past success and finally bring Ferrari back to the top. Meanwhile, Vettel’s reflections highlight just how challenging it was to compete against Hamilton in his prime—a challenge that now rests on the shoulders of Leclerc and Ferrari’s newest star signing.
