By James Broughton, August 6, 2025
He’s competed in 370 Grands Prix, secured 202 podiums, 104 pole positions, 104 race wins, and claimed seven Drivers’ World Championship titles. Lewis Hamilton is not the definition of a “useless” F1 driver—nor someone Ferrari should even consider replacing. That remark, uttered in the heat of the moment after a dismal Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session, was a self-criticism born of frustration.
By his own admission, Hamilton has struggled to adapt to the Ferrari SF-25 after years of driving for Mercedes. For instance, the Ferrari’s braking system differs significantly from what he’s used to, forcing him to adjust his driving style. But Hamilton’s frustration at failing to deliver the results he expects of himself doesn’t mask the underlying performance issues of the SF-25. Since the Chinese Grand Prix, Ferrari has been forced to raise the car’s ride height—an adjustment that comes at a steep performance cost.
In this ground-effect era, where a lower ride height translates to increased downforce and better lap times, Ferrari has been playing catch-up. Although engineering updates introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix aimed to resolve the issue, the problems still persist.
Sir Lewis Hamilton is not a driver in decline—he’s one of the greatest of all time, navigating the inevitable challenges of the twilight years of a legendary career. This is a period marked by uncertainty, by frustration, and by an unrelenting desire to reclaim what was taken from him in 2021. He still hungers for that elusive eighth world title—but the harsh truth is that time, as always, is undefeated.
Some argue Hamilton should retire. It’s rare for F1 drivers to race into their 40s. But like Fernando Alonso, Hamilton is an exception. Even now, he possesses enough skill and determination to fight for that eighth crown. Yes, small errors and misjudgments are creeping in—but this isn’t the result of age. It’s a consequence of overdriving, of overthinking—a champion pushing against the limits of both machine and time.