Lewis Hamilton clarifies Ferrari situation in ‘desperate’ statement after F1 Canada!!
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has faced a challenging debut season with Ferrari in 2025, and his recent comments following the Canadian Grand Prix have sparked widespread discussion. After a disappointing performance at the Spanish Grand Prix and a mixed result in Montreal, Hamilton addressed concerns about his integration with the team and dismissed notions of desperation, offering insight into Ferrari’s behind-the-scenes efforts to address ongoing performance issues. His remarks, made ahead of and during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, provide a glimpse into the complexities of his transition from Mercedes to Ferrari and the team’s struggles to compete at the front of the grid.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, announced in early 2024, was one of the most significant driver transfers in recent Formula 1 history. After 12 years with Mercedes, where he secured six world championships, the Briton sought a new challenge with the iconic Italian team. However, the 2025 season has not unfolded as anticipated. Ferrari’s SF-25 car has shown flashes of potential, such as Hamilton’s sprint race victory in China, but consistent grand prix podiums have eluded him. In contrast, teammate Charles Leclerc has secured three podiums, highlighting a performance gap that has fueled speculation about Hamilton’s adaptation to the team.
The Spanish Grand Prix was a low point for Hamilton, who finished sixth after starting fifth. Post-race, he described the car’s balance as the “worst it’s ever been,” expressing frustration over a lack of pace that he initially attributed to his driving. However, Ferrari later identified a technical issue with the SF-25 that “massively” hindered both Hamilton and Leclerc during the race. This discovery, while a relief to Hamilton, came with a caveat: Ferrari instructed both drivers to refrain from discussing the specifics publicly. Hamilton’s candid radio message to race engineer Riccardo Adami during the race, stating, “I believe we’ve got something wrong with this car, mate,” underscored the severity of the issue.
Arriving in Montreal, a circuit where Hamilton has claimed seven victories, expectations were high for a turnaround. However, the Canadian Grand Prix weekend began with challenges. Hamilton suffered a spin in FP1, and Leclerc’s crash in the same session limited Ferrari’s track time. Despite these setbacks, Hamilton qualified fifth, three places ahead of Leclerc, marking one of his stronger qualifying performances of the season. In the race, he finished sixth, hampered by brake issues and an unfortunate collision with a marmot, but he remained optimistic about the team’s progress. “We’ve progressed coming into it, so that was a positive,” Hamilton noted, acknowledging the circuit’s demanding nature and Ferrari’s ongoing adjustments to the car’s setup.
Addressing the media in Montreal, Hamilton refuted suggestions that he was “desperate” for a strong result. “I don’t feel that I’m searching,” he said. “Of course, a good weekend is always a good thing, but I don’t feel like I’m in desperate need of one. I think it looks a lot worse outside than it probably is on the inside.” This statement aimed to counter external perceptions of Ferrari’s struggles and Hamilton’s own form, emphasizing that the team’s internal processes were more constructive than they appeared. He highlighted the differences in Ferrari’s approach to car setup compared to his time at Mercedes, noting that adapting to the SF-25’s unique characteristics required significant adjustments to his driving style. “This car drives so much differently to what I drove before,” he explained. “You go into low-speed corners, and you’re waiting, and it doesn’t want to turn.”
Ferrari’s challenges in 2025 extend beyond Hamilton’s integration. The team sits fourth in the constructors’ championship, 197 points behind leaders McLaren, a stark contrast to pre-season expectations of challenging for the title. Team principal Fred Vasseur has faced scrutiny, with some media outlets speculating about his position. Hamilton, however, remains steadfast in his support for Vasseur, with whom he worked during his title-winning GP2 season in 2006. “Fred’s the main reason I’m in this team,” Hamilton said, dismissing rumors of discord. “We’re in this together. I want Fred here.”
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton’s comments reflect a long-term perspective. He acknowledged that Ferrari’s current car is not suited to circuits like Montreal and that significant updates are needed to compete with Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes. Posts on X have echoed his sentiments, with some users noting his frustration with the lack of updates and his focus on influencing Ferrari’s 2026 car design. As the season progresses, Hamilton’s ability to adapt and Ferrari’s capacity to deliver a competitive car will be critical. For now, the seven-time champion remains committed to the challenge, determined to find the “sweet spot” with Ferrari and silence doubts about his move to Maranello.
