Hope is on the Horizon for Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari After Recent Races.
Following improved performances at the Dutch and Italian Grand Prix, former World Champion Nico Rosberg noted that Hamilton receiving praise for merely matching Charles Leclerc’s speed reflects the depth of his struggles. Rosberg also warned that Ferrari faces mounting “pressure” after a subdued showing at the Italian GP, particularly highlighted by Adrian Newey’s decision to join Aston Martin instead of Ferrari.
The Potential Partnership Between Hamilton and Ferrari
Hamilton faced significant difficulties in the initial half of the season with Ferrari, leading to speculation that the seven-time champion might not return post-summer break. However, he has since displayed better form, predominantly keeping pace with teammate Leclerc.
Still, Hamilton acknowledged that he and the Ferrari car have yet to fully synchronize. He expressed to media outlets at the Italian GP that he remains “not 100 percent comfortable with the car,” adding that it is influencing an “alien driving style.”
The Road Ahead for Hamilton
Despite his challenges, Hamilton’s progress has been noted by Rosberg, who appreciates the strides he’s made. However, Rosberg cannot overlook that Hamilton, simply staying close to Leclerc, has become a benchmark for success considering his previous troubles.
“It was good to see Lewis have a solid weekend, feeling comfortable in the car and showing flashes of brilliance,” Rosberg commented on Sky’s ‘The F1 Show’ podcast. “But it also shows how challenging things were prior, as we view this as a great weekend just because he kept pace with Charles.”
Ferrari’s Challenges and Future Prospects
With eight races remaining in the 2025 season, Ferrari’s championship aspirations appear lost once more. Their last Drivers’ title remains with Kimi Raikkonen from 2007. Rosberg addressed the pressures Ferrari will face after finishing fourth and sixth in their home race at Monza, noting, “They’ll be under a lot of pressure due to their disappointing performance.”
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Formula 1 Season
As the regulations undergo significant changes for the 2026 F1 season, Rosberg was asked if this transition could help Ferrari overcome their subpar result at Monza. He pointed out that Ferrari’s location outside the UK—a hub for F1 talent—is impacting their ability to attract the necessary personnel to reclaim championship status. He mentioned Newey’s decision to join Aston Martin after negotiations with Ferrari fell through.
“Ferrari might consider establishing a department in the UK due to talent acquisition challenges, as the heart of motorsport talent lies there,” Rosberg revealed. “Adrian Newey chose Aston Martin partly to stay near his family, a sentiment many top engineers share, which hampers Ferrari’s efforts to gather elite talent.”
“Can you believe it’s been 18 years since they won a Drivers’ Championship? Their previous lengthy drought was from 1979 to 2000, and they are nearing that again. It’s indeed a rough patch for them,” Rosberg concluded.
