Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari has been much tougher than anticipated, but the Briton insists the lessons learned will eventually make him and the team stronger.
Despite failing to secure a podium in 16 races since his high-profile move from Mercedes, the seven-time world champion believes he is laying the foundations for a brighter future at Maranello.
Hamilton conceded that the transition has not gone entirely as planned, citing both technical and cultural hurdles.
While he had a year to prepare for his move to Maranello following the bombshell announcement in February 2024, the F1 veteran says there were aspects of the change that caught everyone off guard.
“I don’t remember every single season, to be honest, so I don’t really want to compare it to others, but I'm sure there have been plenty of seasons that have felt difficult,” Hamilton explained in Monza last time out.
“I remember 2009 was difficult; I remember 2010, 2011 wasn’t great, and 2012 was a pivotal moment for me, and obviously 2022 and 2023, so there’s been plenty of others that were just different. But I was in a different place in my life.”
Cultural Shifts and Team Dynamics
Beyond the technical challenges thrown his way, Hamilton has had to navigate the cultural nuances of joining Ferrari, a team steeped in history and tradition.
The move has required adjustments on both sides, with Ferrari making significant efforts to accommodate their new star driver.
“There’s been a lot of adjustment, both from my side and the team’s side. They’ve really moved heaven and earth to accommodate me,” Hamilton said, acknowledging the team’s commitment to his integration.
One of those adjustments has been technical: Ferrari’s Brembo braking system and their reliance on engine braking contrast sharply with the setup Hamilton was accustomed to at Mercedes.
These differences have demanded new driving habits, while the SF-25’s inconsistency has added another layer of difficulty.
“The harder it is, the better it can make you”
Hamilton also pointed to the complexities of integrating with the Scuderia’s very different working mentality and atmosphere while dealing with on-track issues, a challenge also underlined recently by Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur.
“Obviously, there are cultural differences,” the Briton admitted. “Fred made a comment that perhaps they underestimated me joining the team and the year we’ve been faced with in terms of the problems with the car, so it's a combination of all those things.
©Ferrari
“But honestly, the harder it is, the better it can make you. This year has been tough for everyone in the team, but it has prepared us for better days.
“We’ll be stronger having gone through this tough first six months. I’m really excited and motivated for a positive uphill battle from here, and I feel like I’ve got the best people around me to do that.”
While Ferrari fans may have expected Hamilton to fight for wins immediately, the 40-year-old appears to be taking the long view.
His focus, he insists, is not just on surviving a difficult debut year but on building momentum that could eventually return Formula 1’s most famous team to the top, finally.
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