Verstappen Cites Hamilton's Mercedes Departure as Key to Ferrari Struggles
Max Verstappen and Fred Vasseur suggest Lewis Hamilton's struggles at Ferrari stem from the massive cultural shift after 12 years at Mercedes, not just a lack of speed.
Lewis Hamilton's debut season with Ferrari fell significantly short of expectations, with the seven-time champion thoroughly outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc. The root cause, according to both Max Verstappen and Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, may be less about declining speed and more about the profound cultural and operational shock of leaving his long-term home at Mercedes.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's blockbuster move to Ferrari was one of the biggest stories in modern F1, carrying the weight of his pursuit of a record eighth world title. His struggles to adapt raise questions not only about his final years in the sport but also highlight the razor-thin margins in modern F1, where driver-team synergy and seamless integration are as critical as raw car performance.
The details:
- On-track deficit: Hamilton lost the qualifying head-to-head to Leclerc 5-19 and the race head-to-head 3-18, finishing the season 86 points behind his Monegasque teammate in P6.
- Verstappen's theory: The four-time champion believes Hamilton left his "second family" at Mercedes, making it difficult to feel "secure or comfortable" at Ferrari. He noted that facing an established teammate like Leclerc, who is still improving, while being at an age where you don't necessarily get faster, creates a "very tough" dynamic.
- Vasseur's admission: The Ferrari boss agreed, stating the team "underestimated" the massive adjustment required for a driver after two decades embedded in the Mercedes ecosystem.
- It's the details: Vasseur stressed it wasn't about Ferrari doing things "worse or better," but "differently." Every piece of software, component, and the people around Hamilton were new, costing him crucial hundredths of a second that separate the midfield in today's tightly packed grid.
What's next:
The entire focus now shifts to the 2026 season and whether Hamilton can fully bridge the gap. While Vasseur noted an improvement in collaboration and understanding towards the end of 2025, overcoming this initial "culture shock" will be paramount for Hamilton to transform his Ferrari dream into a realistic championship challenge.