Ferrari must listen to what Lewis Hamilton told Niki Lauda during his toughest season at McLaren

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The 2025 Formula 1 season is not the first time Lewis Hamilton has struggled during his racing career.

Lewis Hamilton won his first title in 2008 after narrowly missing out during his rookie campaign with McLaren.

Hamilton infamously overtook Timo Glock on the final lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix, denying Felipe Massa what would still be Ferrari’s most recent drivers’ championship victory.

Seventeen years and six titles later, Hamilton has now joined Ferrari in pursuit of breaking Michael Schumacher’s record of championship wins with the sport’s most iconic team.

However, Hamilton has been called out by president John Elkann following his and Charles Leclerc’s comments after the most recent race at Interlagos.

Ferrari currently sit fourth in the constructors’ championship, but team principal Fred Vasseur and Elkann should listen to what Hamilton told his idol and mentor Niki Lauda about team mentality during his toughest season with McLaren back in 2009.

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Lewis Hamilton’s conversation with Niki Lauda should guide Ferrari on how to make their F1 comeback

Lauda and Hamilton spoke in a video shared by Motorsport back in 2009 about his struggles following his maiden title win.

Lauda said: “So, last year you were world champion, you had a difficult year, and you had everything you could get for being a world champion.

“Then, you suddenly dropped into this huge hole this year, so how do you cope with this?”

Hamilton replied: “For me, this year’s been the hardest time of my life.

“Emotionally, we know how to win races, but living your life and preparing yourself to win, and then arriving and finishing last, it’s demoralising, it’s so hard.

“And then you have the media talking things about you.”

Lauda commented: “Especially when Button, on the other hand, is successful.”

“Yeah, especially as a driver,” Hamilton said. “You want to show the world that you’re the best and you can win.

“Which you are, but the car is not,” Lauda replied.

Hamilton continued: “Then, when people start questioning how good you are, and people say, oh, this person must be better, it’s frustrating that you can’t react and fix it by going faster because you don’t have the car.”

“That great thing for me was knowing that my team weren’t going to give up. If they’ve given up, then why are we racing?

“I want to be a part of a team that always pushes, because for me, when I’m driving a car, whether it’s good or bad, I’m always pushing, So, I want the team to have the same mentality.

“And for sure, if I were with a team that didn’t have that mentality, then I’d be in the wrong place.

“Each weekend when they feel negative, I try to pull them up and hey, we can do it.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Lewis Hamilton making efforts to change Ferrari from the inside following his Mercedes move

Hamilton’s return to racing after winning the 2008 championship didn’t go to plan.

Brawn GP became the dominant force at the start of the campaign, with Red Bull rapidly making up ground during the closing stages.

However, Hamilton could only finish fifth in the championship, having to wait until the 10th race of the season in Hungary to win his first race of the year.

Lauda was an instrumental figure in Hamilton’s career, and it’s no surprise that he was quick to listen to his concerns during a tricky period in his time at McLaren.

Hamilton is trying to change Ferrari from the inside, with the Italian team well known for being more insular than many of their rivals.

However, there are suggestions that some within Ferrari aren’t impressed by Hamilton’s efforts, and if that’s the case, then it may not be a partnership that ends in the success that both parties desire.