Sebastian Vettel ‘kept quiet’ about the long-term issue that’s wrecking Lewis Hamilton’s first season at Ferrari

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Charles Leclerc has enough talent to make anyone look foolish on his day, but since joining Formula 1, he has quashed two legends of the sport.

Whether it’s down to the characteristics of Ferrari’s car and the direction they have taken, nobody quite knows, but both Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have faced struggles.

At the age of 27, Leclerc is entering the prime of his career, and has been waiting far too long for his team to deliver a car capable of leading him to a drivers’ championship.

It’s too late for him to be a player in the Formula 1 driver market for 2026, but despite holding a contract through 2029, he might be forced to look at alternative options soon enough.

Hamilton’s onboard has shown where he’s ‘really struggling’, with qualifying in particular being difficult for him recently, with two consecutive Q2 exits.

After a controversial overtake at the Hungarian Grand Prix, one Max Verstappen move might have helped Hamilton realise he has ‘lost’ something at Ferrari. His defensive skills may not be as strong anymore.

READ MORE: Annoyed Fred Vasseur hit back at journalist over Lewis Hamilton question at the Hungarian GP, ‘not a good one’

Sebastian Vettel ‘kept quiet’ about long-term Ferrari issue wrecking Lewis Hamilton in 2025

Vettel’s 2020 comments to Hamilton’s engineer have resurfaced, leading fans to question whether anything has actually changed at the team over the last few years.

After just over two years in the job, Fred Vasseur has been extended and will continue to lead the team beyond 2025, but they’re still not delivering as expected.

Just a few months ago, Vettel told Ferrari how they can transform Hamilton, but his campaign seems to have been getting progressively worse.

Now, F1-insider reports that Hamilton may be facing the same issue Vettel ‘couldn’t handle’ with Ferrari’s car back in 2019.

The rear of his car was very unstable, leading to unexplained spins and mistakes, which his seven-time champion friend is making now, too.

READ MORE: Ferrari accused of breaking promises to Lewis Hamilton with Charles Leclerc receiving preferential treatment

What can Lewis Hamilton do to fix his Ferrari woes?

Excruciatingly, Hamilton may have to wait until the 2026 F1 regulations for his fortunes to turn around. There won’t be any fundamental changes to the characteristics of the Ferrari before then.

With a new set of rules, should come a completely new car. One that carries nothing over from this year, which should give Hamilton an advantage. He’ll be on level ground with Leclerc and his rivals.

Hamilton is ‘now realising’ how different Ferrari is and that it’s going to take time to mould them into a consistent, contending team.

If anyone’s experience on the grid can lead them there, it’s his after a stellar 18-year Formula 1 career. His sprint win in China proves he still has the pace on his day, too.