Toto Wolff shares his theory on why Lewis Hamilton has looked like ‘a fish out of water’ at Ferrari

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Lewis Hamilton is yet to replicate an iota of his success with Mercedes at Ferrari, and his former team principal, Toto Wolff, has shared his thoughts on why the 40-year-old has looked like ‘a fish out of water’ at the Scuderia.

Since arriving in Maranello ahead of the current campaign, Lewis Hamilton has endured one of his toughest seasons as a Formula 1 driver.

Yet to feature on a Grand Prix podium in Ferrari colours, Hamilton has earned an unwanted record at the iconic Italian racing outfit due to his lack of a top-three finish.

It’s the longest podium drought of the seven-time world champion’s career, and his results have been in stark contrast to what we have been used to seeing from Hamilton.

Before the switch from silver to red, the British driver had featured on the podium 202 times from 356 Grand Prix entries.

READ MORE: Charles Leclerc reveals what Lewis Hamilton’s ‘relationship’ with Ferrari is really like

Toto Wolff thinks Lewis Hamilton has found it difficult to adapt to life in Maranello

Toto Wolff spent the entirety of Hamilton’s stint at Mercedes as the 40-year-old’s boss, a period that saw them become one of the most dominant partnerships that Formula 1 has ever seen.

Hamilton won six world titles under the leadership of the Austrian, as well as aiding the Silver Arrows to eight consecutive constructors’ championships.

After the Brit’s difficult start to his tenure as a driver for the Prancing Horse, Wolff noted that ‘nobody’ would remember Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari due to the success he achieved at Mercedes, as well as the lack thereof at the Scuderia.

Following Sky Sports F1’s coverage of FP1 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the team principal of the Silver Arrows was collared by Simon Lazenby and Jenson Button, and the latter asked Wolff what it is that Hamilton has been finding difficult at Ferrari.

He replied (21/11 01:50), “I think you probably only realise when you’ve been in similar structures, like at British teams.

“McLaren, and then Mercedes, there is a kind of normality because you’re British and you’re operating in this environment.

“And then you come to an Italian team, with such a passion and emotion, it’s a little bit like a fish out of water, but if he has a car that he likes, then he can drive fast.”

READ MORE: Jenson Button recalls how he left Lewis Hamilton ‘surprised’ when they were McLaren teammates

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were blasted by Ferrari chairman John Elkann after the Brazil GP

The most recent round of racing in Brazil saw Ferrari record their third pointless result of the 2025 F1 season, as well as their second double DNF of the year.

Ferrari chairman John Elkann slammed Hamilton and Leclerc in the aftermath of the result, stating that they both need to talk less and focus on driving more.

The criticism was meant to be constructive, according to Ferrari insiders, but the public blasting may not have been the best way to go about things.

Hamilton didn’t believe the comments were a fair reflection of his own, as well as his Monegasque counterpart’s, efforts during the current season.

The Brit highlighted how his debut year at Ferrari has been one of the busiest seasons of his life, due to his desire to claw his way out of the podium-less rut that he has been experiencing.