Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated move to Ferrari has so far failed to live up to the hype, with his performances falling short of expectations in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Red Bull’s senior advisor Helmut Marko didn’t hold back in his recent comments, saying the seven-time world champion seems “desperate” following a rocky start with the Italian team.
Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to Ferrari was initially celebrated by fans and pundits alike. However, just a few races into the season, that excitement has waned. The Briton has been grappling with the SF-25’s unstable rear end, leading to difficulties under braking and in high-speed corners — two critical areas where Ferrari’s car continues to struggle.
So far, Hamilton has managed to earn only 31 points, with his most disappointing outing occurring at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. Despite a promising Q1 due to fresh tyres, he finished seventh, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by more than 30 seconds — a gap he hasn’t experienced since 2017.
In an interview with F1-Insider, Marko speculated that Hamilton may already be thinking ahead to 2026, when major changes to Formula 1 regulations will take effect.
“He [Hamilton] does indeed seem desperate,” Marko commented. “But I believe he’s waiting for the 2026 car and hopes that Ferrari will not only hit the jackpot with this car, but that the Scuderia will also build a car that he can handle better.”
Hamilton’s move was largely driven by the looming 2026 rule changes, which will bring new engine and chassis regulations focused on sustainability and efficiency. It’s a gamble that echoes his decision to join Mercedes ahead of the hybrid era in 2014 — a move that ultimately brought him immense success.
Despite the long-term vision, the short-term numbers aren’t encouraging. Hamilton’s average race finish is 7.25, and his average qualifying position sits at 7.4. He’s finishing nearly 29 seconds behind the race winner on average and trails podium finishers by over 19 seconds.
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has also raised concerns, suggesting that if Ferrari’s pace doesn’t improve soon, Hamilton’s current frustration could evolve into a more significant confidence crisis.
