James Vowles makes Lewis Hamilton comment after assessing the start of his Ferrari Formula 1 career

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Lewis Hamilton has enjoyed a bit of a slow start to life as one of Ferrari’s Formula 1 drivers, but is starting to make some progress.

He matched his best result with the Scuderia at the Austrian Grand Prix, following home teammate Charles Leclerc in fourth place.

A recent floor upgrade has helped to widen the working window of the Ferrari car, which should make them more competitive at a variety of circuits, including the warmer ones they have struggled at.

With more developments on the way, it has come a bit too late for Hamilton to make a title charge this year, but it’s an encouraging sign heading into the 2026 F1 regulations.

Hamilton was ‘absolutely right’ to disagree with Ferrari and insist that a one-stop strategy would have been better for him at the last race in Spielberg. It may have put him close to Leclerc at the end of the race.

Now at the age of 40, the Briton’s best years may be behind him, and one man agrees. Bernie Ecclestone made a worrying Hamilton prediction and doesn’t believe that he will win a record eighth Formula 1 title.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton told he’s now ‘guaranteed’ to exploit one Ferrari ‘bugbear’ with his driving style

James Vowles believes Lewis Hamilton still has ‘life’ in him at Ferrari

But not everyone agrees with Ecclestone’s point. Leclerc agrees with George Russell about Hamilton and thinks that he is the greatest of all time.

Statistically, Michael Schumacher is the only driver who gets close to matching him. One man who has worked with both drivers is current Williams boss, James Vowles.

He has backed Hamilton to achieve more before he retires from the sport, and thinks that his move to Italy was ‘great’.

“The Ferrari move, I think he felt something similar to me in a different way, of course, where he’s done everything that you can possibly ever dream of doing with Mercedes,” he said.

“And actually, the change for him, we invigorated him and created a new space. I think it’s great that he has moved to Ferrari, I think it’s great for the sport, I think it’s good for him personally, which is more interesting to me.

“My opinion of it is just getting better and better across the year. Especially in the race. I think in the race is where he really shines, and there’s still life in him yet.”

READ MORE: Gary Anderson has one ‘question’ after seeing what Ferrari put on Lewis Hamilton’s car at the Austrian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has been ‘held back’ at Ferrari by one Fred Vasseur action

While being sixth in the championship wasn’t exactly where Hamilton hoped he would be nearly halfway through the season, there are reasons to be positive.

More upgrades are going to be coming to his car over the next few races, including a new configuration for the rear suspension.

There could be silverware up for grabs in the second half of the season if development goes well, which will prove one action by the team’s boss right.

Hamilton has been ‘held back’ at Ferrari by Fred Vasseur, who has insisted that he doesn’t give up on this campaign just yet.

He thinks that there is more to fight for, and while they sit one point ahead of Mercedes in the constructors’ championship, he might be right.