Verstappen Analyzes Hamilton's Difficult First Year at Ferrari

Max Verstappen has offered a candid assessment of Lewis Hamilton's challenging debut season with Ferrari, pinpointing the difficulty of leaving a long-term team and the disadvantage of age as key factors. The Red Bull star suggests Hamilton's struggle to feel comfortable and secure within the Scuderia has directly impacted his on-track performance.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's analysis cuts to the core of a high-profile narrative in Formula 1. Hamilton's move from Mercedes, where he won six of his seven world titles, to Ferrari was one of the sport's most seismic transfers. His subsequent struggle to adapt and compete with teammate Charles Leclerc validates theories about the immense challenge of switching teams after over a decade, offering a rare peer perspective on the human elements behind performance.

The details:

• Verstappen explained that a driver cannot perform at their peak if they don't feel "safe or comfortable" within their team, stating it prevents them from being their true self.
• He emphasized the magnitude of Hamilton's career shift, leaving a "second family" at Mercedes where both he and the team built their success together, calling the move to a completely new environment "extremely difficult."
• The Dutchman highlighted the added challenge of facing a well-established teammate, noting Leclerc has been at Ferrari since 2019 and has continuously developed his position within the team.
• Verstappen also addressed the age factor, bluntly stating, "Age is not on your side. You don't get faster at that age—maybe not necessarily slower, but certainly not faster. Charles, on the other hand, will get even better."

The big picture:

Hamilton's 2025 season statistically underscores Verstappen's points. The seven-time champion finished a distant sixth in the Drivers' Championship with 156 points, significantly behind Leclerc in fifth (242 points) and miles off the title fight between Lando Norris, Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri. Ferrari ended the year fourth in the Constructors' standings. This performance gap fuels questions about whether the historic move can ultimately yield the success both driver and team desire, especially as Leclerc continues to entrench himself as the team's focal point.

What's next:

The pressure will intensify for Hamilton to show marked improvement in his second season with Ferrari in 2026. The team's development trajectory and its ability to build a car that suits his driving style will be critical. Verstappen's comments set a clear benchmark: Hamilton must find a way to become "comfortable" and fully integrated at Maranello to rediscover the form that made him a perennial title contender, all while battling the natural progression of a younger, settled teammate.