Is Lewis Hamilton Past His Peak in F1? A Deeper Look into the Ferrari Struggle

As one of the most successful and iconic drivers in the history of Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton has achieved everything that most drivers can only dream of—seven world championships, countless Grand Prix wins, and a legendary career with Mercedes. However, as the 2025 season progresses, Hamilton finds himself in unfamiliar territory with Ferrari. Sixteen races into his time with the Scuderia and still without a podium, many are questioning whether Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari signal the beginning of the end for his remarkable F1 career.

David Coulthard’s Bold Claim

David Coulthard, former F1 driver and current pundit, has been vocal about Hamilton’s difficulties in adapting to the Ferrari SF25. While many have expressed empathy for Hamilton’s transition, Coulthard isn’t buying into the notion that Hamilton’s struggles are solely due to the car feeling “alien” to him. In an interview with Channel 4, Coulthard commented, “In the world of Formula 1, a power unit is a power unit. Downforce is downforce. It’s a race car, not a philosophy.” For Coulthard, the issue isn’t simply about adapting to Ferrari’s machinery, but rather whether Hamilton’s best days as a driver are behind him.

The Scot’s comments suggest that Hamilton may be struggling to find the same magic he once had with Mercedes, raising the crucial question: Is Lewis Hamilton past his peak in F1? With every passing race, the evidence seems to mount, and Coulthard isn’t the only one asking the hard questions. As much as Hamilton’s past successes speak for themselves, the current struggles seem to be a stark contrast to the driver who once dominated the sport.

Hamilton’s Tough Transition to Ferrari

Hamilton has been open about his challenges with Ferrari’s car, describing the transition as tougher than he anticipated. The 40-year-old driver has made it clear that adapting to the SF25 has been a process, but he has maintained that he’s adjusting his driving style gradually. However, the results have yet to materialize. Despite his efforts, Hamilton continues to fall short compared to his teammate, Charles Leclerc. As of now, Hamilton trails Leclerc in almost every key metric—qualifying, sprint sessions, and race results.

In the drivers’ championship standings, Hamilton is 46 points behind Leclerc, and with no podium finishes in sight, questions surrounding his future at Ferrari are inevitable. It’s clear that the Ferrari move, which many hoped would reignite Hamilton’s passion for the sport, hasn’t had the desired effect. Coulthard notes that the shift from Mercedes to Ferrari was expected to bring new energy for Hamilton, but so far, the results haven’t backed up that belief.

The Statistical Reality

When comparing Hamilton’s performance to that of Leclerc, the numbers are striking. Hamilton has only secured one podium finish—an incredible pole position in Hungary—while Leclerc has consistently been able to extract more from the car. In qualifying, Hamilton is behind by 14-5, with Leclerc dominating both in sprints and races. Excluding the China race due to a disqualification, Hamilton has also struggled in terms of race results, with Leclerc winning four times compared to Hamilton’s zero.

The reality of the statistics is hard to ignore, and Coulthard highlights that it is ultimately results that matter in Formula 1. As much as Hamilton has been a legend in the sport, he is now judged against his teammate—something that wasn’t the case in his glory days with Mercedes. The constant comparisons to Leclerc seem to be working against Hamilton, and his inability to match the younger driver’s performances raises doubts about his future at Ferrari and, possibly, in F1.

Ferrari’s Role in Hamilton’s Struggles

However, Coulthard is quick to acknowledge that Ferrari’s struggles are not entirely Hamilton’s fault. The team itself entered the 2025 season with high expectations, but these expectations have largely gone unmet. Despite the flashes of brilliance in some sessions, such as Hamilton’s stunning sprint performance in China, Ferrari as a whole has been inconsistent. Team principal Fred Vasseur recently admitted that rebuilding Ferrari into a title-contending team has proven more difficult than expected. The Italian team has faced significant challenges, with Vasseur noting that managing personnel changes, including the hiring of key technical staff, has been slower than anticipated.

For Hamilton, these issues with the car and the team are a heavy burden. It’s one thing to adjust to a new car, but it’s another to fight against systemic issues within a team that is also struggling to get back to its competitive best. While Hamilton has to adapt to the car’s unique characteristics, Ferrari itself is still in the process of finding its way back to the top. The combination of Hamilton’s adaptation struggles and Ferrari’s ongoing rebuilding project has made it a challenging season for the seven-time world champion.

Is It Time for Hamilton to Move On?

While many continue to support Hamilton and his ability to overcome adversity, the reality is that time waits for no one in Formula 1. At 40 years old, Hamilton is racing against the clock. F1 drivers typically experience a decline in reflexes and reaction times as they age, and it’s a natural part of the sport. Derek Daly, a former driver, believes that Hamilton’s time at the top may have passed. “Physiologically, at 40 years old, you simply do not have the instincts and reflexes that drivers in their 20s have. That is a fact,” Daly said. “I don’t believe Hamilton can access those talents at the same level he had in the past.”

Daly’s point is that while Hamilton remains a talented driver, his best years might be behind him. From a marketing perspective, bringing Hamilton to Ferrari was a brilliant move—it added star power and global recognition to the team. But when it comes to performance, some believe that Ferrari could benefit more from a younger, more aggressive driver who could contribute to the team’s long-term success.

The reality of Formula 1 is that teams are constantly looking for the next young talent, and with the sport moving into a new era with the 2026 regulation changes, Ferrari may be better served by focusing on the future rather than trying to extract more from Hamilton, who might not be able to deliver the same level of success he once did.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Ferrari’s future prospects depend heavily on how well the team adapts to the upcoming 2026 regulations. The overhaul in chassis and aerodynamic rules presents an opportunity for Ferrari to make a fresh start. The team is also poised to work with new personnel, including technical director Loic Sarah, who will have a significant role in shaping the next generation of Ferrari cars. For Hamilton, the next few seasons may be pivotal in determining whether he can still compete at the top level.

For Ferrari, the question isn’t just about Hamilton’s performance—it’s about whether the team itself can find the right formula to challenge for championships. With the pressure mounting on team principal Vasseur and his ability to deliver results, 2026 will be a make-or-break season for both Ferrari and Hamilton.

Conclusion

Lewis Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari have been a topic of much debate within the F1 community. While it’s clear that the transition to Ferrari hasn’t gone as smoothly as expected, the deeper question remains: is Hamilton past his peak? With his ongoing struggles to match his teammate and the growing challenges within Ferrari itself, Hamilton’s future in F1 is more uncertain than ever. Whether he can turn things around or if the sport is entering a new era without him at the forefront is a question that only time will answer. However, one thing is clear: the 2025 season has been a tough one for Hamilton, and the future of his career in F1 may be at a crossroads.