Lewis Hamilton’s body language after summer break labelled a cause for Ferrari concern

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Lewis Hamilton’s debut Formula 1 campaign hasn’t been far short of a nightmare with Ferrari and there are still four races to go.

For the first time in his career, he stands a chance of completing a whole season without stepping on the podium. Since the system was changed, it also looks as though he will score fewer points than he ever has, despite there now being 24 races on the Formula 1 calendar.

It’s clear that both he and Ferrari need to make dramatic inroads ahead of the 2026 F1 regulations, or risk their partnership coming to an abrupt and disappointing end. Hamilton’s move had so much hype around it, and it would be a big shame to see that wasted.

F1 fans think Ferrari are blaming their drivers after hearing that the Briton’s contract is unlikely to be renewed next year. Charles Leclerc doesn’t think he’s on Hamilton’s level and needs to win titles to be able to match his reputation, but he hasn’t had many chances to compete for them lately.

READ MORE: Ferrari have now decided not to make one ‘profound’ change to Lewis Hamilton’s 2026 F1 car

Lewis Hamilton’s body language at Zandvoort was already concerning for Ferrari

Ferrari fans are bothered by Hamilton’s contract after failing to replicate the sort of success that Michael Schumacher or Sebastian Vettel managed to have in their first seasons with them. Both won races, but it has been proven to be no mean feat.

Hamilton has been tipped to make another step in 2026, but it should be an expected one for the seven-time champion. He doesn’t want to spend the remainder of his career sitting in sixth in the drivers’ championship.

And that might be why, according to journalist Jorge Peiro, his body language was off, immediately after returning from the summer break in Zandvoort earlier this season.

“I went to Hamilton’s press conference in Zandvoort on Thursday,” said Peiro. “I said I’m going to the race, I usually put on [attend] at three [conferences] in the afternoon, you’re [more] free. It’s packed, as always, when Hamilton speaks.

“Well, [when] he’s at a great level. Hamilton’s body language already told you everything. With a button-up, one of those super big ones, headphones, he was looking at the ground, not looking at anyone like that.

“He sits down, takes the microphone, everything buttoned to the top, answers [into] the collar of his shirt, low voice, not very long answers. I already told you a lot. How is he?”

READ MORE: How Charles Leclerc’s mood ‘behind the scenes’ at Ferrari has changed since Lewis Hamilton’s arrival

Does Lewis Hamilton have a chance of ending F1 podium drought in 2025?

The main obstacle to Hamilton reaching the podium is that there are a few drivers with a lot more motivation to get there right now, considering their circumstances. A three-way fight for the title means that competition is fierce.

Realistically, it feels like a slip-up or monumental shift in a race is the only way that Hamilton can make the podium.

He’s strong at the upcoming race in Brazil, and he seemed to like Las Vegas last year, too. After that, Qatar and Abu Dhabi don’t suit Ferrari’s car all too much.

If he can produce one of his best-ever drives, then a podium could be on the table, but he’ll have to be wary of fighting rivals who have a lot more to lose than he does.

Hamilton knows everything at Ferrari now, and it might be time for him to start using that to his advantage between now and the start of December.