Lewis Hamilton admits Ferrari decision made 2025 ‘less exciting’ than his McLaren and Mercedes days

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Lewis Hamilton has had a disappointing first season as a Ferrari driver, and has even found less excitement due to a decision that the Scuderia made “so early” this term.

The 40-year-old moved to Maranello for the 2025 F1 season on an initial two-year contract, with an option to stay in 2027. Hamilton viewed a chance to realise his childhood dream of joining Ferrari as also being a chance to revive his career after two bleak years at Mercedes.

But Hamilton has struggled to adjust to Ferrari’s car after 12 seasons at Mercedes, as well as facing difficulties adapting to the Scuderia’s ways after driving exclusively with British teams in his F1 career. The Briton debuted with McLaren in 2007, before joining Mercedes in 2013.

Issues adjusting to Ferrari’s set-up, Brembo brakes and his enduring problems with the 2022 ground-effect regulation F1 cars have contributed to Hamilton scoring only 117 points so far this year. He is also yet to claim a Grand Prix podium finish for the Scuderia after 16 rounds.

Ferrari’s ‘early’ focus on F1’s 2026 regulations has been ‘less exciting’ for Lewis Hamilton

Ralf Schumacher believes Hamilton’s mistakes are more concerning than his lack of speed in the Ferrari SF-25, too. Ahead of the Azerbaijan GP, Hamilton has finished behind teammate Charles Leclerc during qualifying 12 times to four and in 12 of their 14 Grands Prix finished.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1’s 2026 engine and aero regulations

Ferrari ceasing development of their 2025 car to focus on F1’s 2026 regulation changes “so early” in the year has even made this season “less exciting” for Hamilton, compared to the major regulation changes he experienced at McLaren in 2009 and Mercedes in ‘14 and ‘22.

Hamilton said, via Motorsport.com: “Especially because of the budget cap. I remember in 2008, we were still making updates to the car. We kept fighting [and] we kept developing the car until the end of the season.

“Of course, the car the following year was a disaster, but then we could tackle both at the same time. And in 2013, I just switched [teams], so it’s hard to say much about that. But I would say this time it’s less exciting, because we switched to next year so early.

“You’re just stuck with what you have this season, and that makes this year less exciting, because there’s no more ongoing development.

“So, we’ll just have to make do with what we have for the rest of the season. But next year will be exciting, because there will be plenty of upgrades throughout the season.”

Lewis Hamilton was key to McLaren and Mercedes amid major F1 regulation changes

Hamilton won the F1 drivers’ championship, for the first of his record-equalling seven, in the 2008 season with McLaren. As the Stevenage native also notes, the Woking crew brought updates in their battle with Felipe Massa of Ferrari while working on their 2009 F1 rules car.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

The 2009 season saw a major change to the regulations, with vast aerodynamic restrictions and KERS introduced. Hamilton was ingrained in McLaren’s system as they prepared for the 2009 regulations, which was not the case while Mercedes planned for the 2014 regulations.

Hamilton joined Mercedes while the Silver Arrows were already a long way down the road with designing their car for the 2014 regulations, which they initially dominated under due to the team’s long-term plans for the introduction of 1.6L V6 turbo-hybrid power units in F1.

He was also essential as Mercedes prepared for the re-introduction of ground-effect cars in 2022. But the cars introduced in 2022 have never suited Hamilton’s driving style, especially in the braking phase. The 2026 F1 regulations may, however, yield cars more suited to him.

Hamilton is desperate to influence Ferrari’s 2026 regulations car in his quest for an eighth drivers’ title, and first since the 2020 season. Yet Ferrari going all-in early on the largest F1 regulations overhaul, with new engine and aero rules, has not excited Hamilton as much.