Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko has described Lewis Hamilton as “desperate” amid the British driver’s challenging start to the 2025 Formula 1 season at Ferrari. Despite high expectations surrounding Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari, his performances have been disappointing, with only one notable highlight being his sprint race win at the Chinese Grand Prix. However, he is yet to finish ahead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in a full grand prix, and qualified deficits of six-tenths and half a second in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia respectively have compounded concerns over his adaptation to the team.
Hamilton himself has expressed his frustration, describing the season as “painful” and suggesting there is “no solution” to the current issues he faces with the car. He has even made comments hinting at the need for a “brain transplant” to better understand and work with Ferrari’s machinery, while implying that Ferrari management’s patience could be wearing thin. This combination of performance struggles and candid comments has fueled speculation about his future at Maranello.
Despite these difficulties, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has publicly reaffirmed his full support for Hamilton. Vasseur emphasized his commitment to working closely with Hamilton to find solutions, stating, “I will be 2,000 percent behind him” and highlighting the potential shown in recent races. He acknowledged the current issues related to car balance and tire management, but remains confident that the team can address these problems together with Hamilton.
Marko believes Hamilton’s focus is now firmly on the 2026 season, when Formula 1 will introduce new chassis and engine regulations that are expected to significantly shake up the competitive order. Marko suggested Hamilton is “looking forward to the 2026 car” and hopes Ferrari will hit the “jackpot” with the new regulations, producing a car that not only gains a performance advantage but is also easier to drive. This perspective implies Hamilton may have mentally reviewed the current season, placing his hopes on the next regulatory restart to revive his championship ambitions.
Adding to the narrative, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher echoed Marko’s assessment, describing Hamilton as “perplexed and desperate” based on his recent statements and body language. Schumacher, drawing on his own experience, noted that drivers can reach a point where continuing to race feels pointless and can become a burden on their team. He expressed concern that Hamilton could retire before his contract with Ferrari ends, urging him to “get his act together” soon to avoid such an outcome.
Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari runs until at least the end of 2026, but the internal struggles and pressures of the current season suggest a turbulent period ahead. The Ferrari team and its fans hope Hamilton can rediscover his form and that the team can deliver the necessary improvements to maximize his potential before the eagerly awaited 2026 regulation changes arrive.