Lewis Hamilton Faces Harsh Criticism After Ferrari Switch Decision

Lewis Hamilton faced a tough start to his first season with Ferrari, and fans are divided on whether his move was the right choice. After closing the door on his long and successful time at Mercedes at the end of 2024, Hamilton joined the legendary Italian team to begin a fresh chapter.

However, this season has been challenging. The seven-time Formula 1 champion has not yet achieved a podium finish with Ferrari, despite nine races already on the calendar.

Through these opening rounds, Hamilton’s results have been overshadowed by his teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton has struggled for pace in several events, finding himself outside the top ranks more often than fans have come to expect.

In fact, recent data from a RacingNews365 poll shows that more than 60 percent of fans believe Hamilton has made a mistake by joining Ferrari. Of those surveyed, 33.64% think he should have remained at Mercedes, while 25.64% suggest that the British driver would have been better off retiring from Formula 1 entirely.

Only 18.86% of respondents feel confident that Hamilton made the right decision by signing with Ferrari, while a small 1.49% argue he should have joined a different team altogether. Another 20.35% remain unsure, indicating that they feel it is too early to judge the results of his switch. For more fan perspectives and detailed analysis, see this Ferrari Lewis Hamilton verdict.

This split in opinion comes as Ferrari continues to chase McLaren in both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings.

After nine race weekends, Hamilton currently sits with 71 points, while his teammate Leclerc holds 94. Over at McLaren, Oscar Piastri leads the drivers’ championship with 186 points, and the McLaren team commands the constructors’ standings with 362 – well ahead of Ferrari’s 165.

Red Bull and Mercedes are also in contention, adding more pressure on Ferrari’s high-profile new recruit. Recent controversies involving these teams have further shaped the dynamic this season, including the notable Verstappen-Russell crash.

Hamilton’s search for a podium in red continues, even as Ferrari aims to close the gap with McLaren and Red Bull. The next races on the calendar, including stops at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada and the Red Bull Ring in Austria, offer new opportunities for both Hamilton and the team to improve their results.

Fans will be watching closely to see if Hamilton can turn the season around and prove doubters wrong. For now, the debate remains open, with many looking to the summer races for signs of real progress in Hamilton’s Ferrari journey.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.