“No Fluke”: Hamilton Backed, but the Clock Is Ticking

Hamilton’s Ferrari move was bold. But with Leclerc shining and time ticking, doubts rise: can Lewis still turn this story around?

Lewis Hamilton’s sprint victory in China wasn’t a fluke, and according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, the Ferrari star still has time to turn things around. But the clock is ticking.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari hasn’t started with the fireworks many expected. With just 31 points after five races, including eight from the Shanghai sprint, his early performances have raised questions. Even Hamilton admitted concerns about whether his form would improve in 2025, especially after finishing seventh in Saudi Arabia and struggling to adapt to the SF-25.

But Schumacher believes the seven-time world champion isn’t finished yet.

“Expectations are high, and Ferrari wants results,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “That means Lewis needs to deliver, and I believe he will. What we saw in China wasn’t down to luck.”

“He’s still got the ability. He just needs the right setup and conditions. And there are definitely tracks coming up that will suit him.”

“But if he gives up now, the team will shift its focus entirely to Charles Leclerc. They’ll develop the car around him. You can’t develop two cars for two drivers, it just doesn’t work.”

While 2025 might already feel like a lost cause in Hamilton’s quest for a record eighth title, hope remains for 2026 when new regulations will shake up the grid. Still, former F1 driver and pundit Johnny Herbert issued a warning: next year may be Hamilton’s last shot.

“I think 2026 is his final chance,” Herbert said. “He’s 40 now. Is he at his peak? No. Has he passed it? Probably. But is he still great? Absolutely.”

“Right now, Leclerc is the better driver. Even if Ferrari gets stronger, Hamilton has to beat him, and that’s a tough ask.”

Herbert added that switching to Ferrari was probably the change Hamilton needed after feeling stuck at Mercedes.

“Last season, Mercedes was all over the place, one week they were winning, the next they couldn’t even get near the podium. You could see Lewis was frustrated and losing motivation.”

“That’s where someone like Ayrton Senna stood out, he always found the fire. Lewis needed a fresh start, and Ferrari gave him that.”

Things looked promising after his strong sprint in China, but since then, the momentum has faded. Leclerc, meanwhile, has delivered consistent performances, even if Ferrari is still chasing McLaren and Red Bull at the top.

Ferrari is currently the third or fourth-best team, and to challenge for wins, it needs to take a step forward. Hamilton will have to be at his absolute best to beat Leclerc, who has a firm grip on the team thanks to his consistency and pace.

“Right now, Lewis is finishing eighth or ninth,” Herbert said. “If he’d stayed at Mercedes, Russell would still be pushing him hard, just like Leclerc is now. Going to Ferrari was the right call, but whether we’ll see the ‘old Hamilton’ again is up to him.”

Hamilton Putting in the Hours Ahead of Miami

Determined to bounce back, Hamilton has ramped up his efforts behind the scenes.

Ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, he’s been putting in extra hours in Ferrari’s simulator, going beyond the usual pre-race routine. Following the race in Saudi Arabia, Hamilton’s schedule has included in-depth technical meetings with engineers to troubleshoot the issues he’s faced so far.

Sprint weekends like Miami don’t offer much practice time, so teams usually stick to fine-tuning car setups. But Hamilton went further, working on power unit behavior, especially during braking. The Ferrari’s V6 offers more adjustable engine braking than the Mercedes unit he was used to, and mastering that difference has been key to his preparation.

The work shows Hamilton is still fully invested. But with pressure mounting and Leclerc in control, time is running out to shift the momentum in his favor.

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“No Fluke”: Hamilton Backed, but the Clock Is Ticking
“No Fluke”: Hamilton Backed, but the Clock Is Ticking