Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has sent shockwaves through the motorsport world by publicly rejecting Ferrari’s proposed solutions to address the team’s ongoing performance issues in the 2025 season. In a candid interview following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he finished a distant seventh, 31 seconds behind teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton also made a startling admission: joining Ferrari was the biggest mistake of his career. This revelation comes as Ferrari struggles to unlock the potential of its SF-25 car, leaving Hamilton languishing in seventh in the drivers’ championship with just 33 points after five races.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari from Mercedes, announced in February 2024, was hailed as a historic moment. The 40-year-old driver, chasing an elusive eighth world title, was expected to revitalize Ferrari’s championship hopes, last won in 2008. However, the season has been a nightmare. Hamilton’s best result remains a sprint race victory in China, but his grand prix performances have been lackluster, with a disqualification in Shanghai for excessive plank wear and consistent out-qualification by Leclerc. Ferrari’s car, plagued by ride height issues and poor qualifying pace, has failed to compete with McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes, trailing McLaren by 110 points in the constructors’ standings.

The root of Ferrari’s troubles lies in the SF-25’s sensitivity to setup changes and ride height. After Hamilton’s disqualification in China, the team raised the car’s ride height to avoid further penalties, a move Hamilton confirmed cost performance. “We’re running higher than we’d like,” he told Sky Sports F1, estimating a loss of over a tenth of a second per lap. Ferrari identified an underperforming component on Hamilton’s car, present since the season’s start, but the team’s proposed fixes, including aerodynamic tweaks and software adjustments, have not yielded results. Hamilton’s frustration boiled over in Jeddah, where he dismissed the team’s strategy, stating, “Their plan won’t work. It’s not addressing the core issue.” Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with fans speculating about Hamilton’s growing discontent and even suggesting he might retire if the situation doesn’t improve.

Hamilton’s rejection of Ferrari’s approach stems from a mismatch between his driving style and the car’s characteristics. Known for preferring a low, stiff setup, Hamilton has struggled with the SF-25’s softer rear suspension and higher rear ride height, designed to enhance low-speed grip but causing instability at high speeds. Technical analyst Paolo Filisetti noted that Ferrari’s braking system forces Hamilton to adapt his trademark late-braking style, a change he’s resisted. “It’s not possible to fully adjust the car to Lewis’s style without compromising its balance,” Filisetti explained. Leclerc, who has driven for Ferrari since 2019, has adapted better, securing a podium in Jeddah and consistently outperforming Hamilton.

The Briton’s admission that joining Ferrari was his career’s biggest mistake has sparked debate. Reflecting on his decision, Hamilton told reporters, “I believed in the dream, but the reality has been painful. I should’ve stayed with Mercedes or retired.” This echoes his downbeat mood from late 2024, when he called that season his worst despite two wins. At Mercedes, Hamilton faced uncompetitive cars but had a familiar environment with race engineer Peter Bonnington. At Ferrari, he’s struggled to build chemistry with new engineer Riccardo Adami, with bizarre radio exchanges, like a mistaken sector time call in Japan, highlighting their disconnect.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur remains supportive, insisting Hamilton needs time to adapt. “Lewis has my 2000% backing,” Vasseur said, but Italian media has been brutal, labeling the team’s start a “disaster.” Corriere della Sera reported tensions during Hamilton’s arrival, including a rejected proposal to feature a black Ferrari F40 for diversity advocacy, underscoring Ferrari’s rigid traditions. Despite commercial success, with Puma reporting an eightfold sales increase, on-track results have disappointed.

As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, another sprint weekend offers Hamilton a chance to reset. However, with Leclerc’s superior pace and Ferrari’s unresolved issues, Hamilton’s dream of an eighth title seems distant. Posts on X suggest fans are divided, with some urging patience and others questioning if Hamilton, at 40, has lost his edge. His bold move to Ferrari, once seen as a final shot at glory, now risks becoming a cautionary tale about chasing dreams in a sport ruled by precision and adaptation.