Just in:Lewis Hamilton urged not to regret Ferrari switch despite….read more
Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert believes that Lewis Hamilton should not regret his high-profile move from Mercedes to Ferrari, even though the 2025 season has started off on a challenging note for the seven-time world champion. Hamilton has faced some difficulties adapting to his new team, most notably during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he finished more than 30 seconds behind his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc. This disappointing performance led Hamilton to admit that there’s no simple or quick fix to their issues, and he anticipates a long and demanding season ahead.
While Hamilton has experienced moments of strong form—such as his impressive Sprint race victory from pole position in China—his overall performance has not consistently matched Leclerc’s. The Monegasque driver has been more reliable and has produced stronger results across the season so far. Ferrari, meanwhile, has struggled to emerge as a top contender and is currently viewed as the fourth-fastest team on the grid, trailing behind rivals such as Red Bull, McLaren, and even Hamilton’s former team, Mercedes, in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
Despite these setbacks, Herbert maintains that Hamilton made the right choice by joining Ferrari. He argues that Hamilton needed a change of environment to rekindle his motivation after several frustrating seasons with Mercedes. “The car was unpredictable,” Herbert said, referring to the Mercedes’ inconsistent performance last year. “Sometimes they could fight for wins, and other times they couldn’t get near the podium. You could see that Lewis was becoming disheartened.”
Herbert drew comparisons to legendary driver Ayrton Senna, who managed to find renewed energy and focus even when faced with tough circumstances. He believes that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari could serve a similar purpose, providing the veteran with a fresh challenge and a new perspective.
Hamilton’s early struggles at Ferrari have not gone unnoticed. The 40-year-old has openly discussed the adjustment phase he is going through, pointing to significant differences in the car’s handling, braking system, and power unit delivery compared to what he was used to at Mercedes. Herbert expressed surprise that Hamilton hasn’t fully settled in yet but acknowledged the steep learning curve that comes with switching teams after such a long stint elsewhere.
Although Ferrari has managed to secure occasional podiums, they still lack the pace to consistently challenge Red Bull and McLaren. Herbert noted that if Hamilton hopes to outperform Leclerc and lead Ferrari to success, he will need to be operating at his peak. “Charles is having a strong, consistent season,” he said. “Ferrari isn’t in bad shape, but they need to make that extra step forward if they want to fight for wins regularly.”
In summary, while Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has been anything but smooth, Herbert believes the long-term benefits of the switch may still outweigh the current difficulties. The key, he says, will be for Hamilton to find his rhythm and bring out his best to compete with Leclerc and help Ferrari climb back into title contention.
