Hamilton Hopes Ferrari's 'Alien' Driving Style Soon Resolved

Hamilton Hopes Ferrari's 'Alien' Driving Style Soon Resolved

Lewis Hamilton has openly discussed his struggles to fully adapt to the Ferrari SF-25 since joining the Scuderia at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite recent positive performances, the seven-time world champion is eager to overcome what he describes as an "alien" driving style demanded by the car.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's transition to Ferrari was one of the most anticipated moves in F1 history. His ability to adapt to the SF-25 is crucial not only for his immediate success but also for Ferrari's championship aspirations, as the team aims to build a challenger around their star driver.

The big picture:

After 12 years with Mercedes, where he became synonymous with their car's characteristics, Hamilton faces a stark adjustment. His comments highlight the fundamental differences in car philosophy between the two top teams, and the deep-seated challenge for a driver to reprogram years of muscle memory.

The details:

• Recent improvements: Hamilton has shown signs of progress, particularly in Zandvoort and Monza. At Zandvoort, he closed the gap to teammate Charles Leclerc in both qualifying and the race. In Monza, he led FP1 and, despite a grid penalty, demonstrated superior race pace to Leclerc.
• "Alien" driving style: Hamilton stated, "I'm arriving at the track and having to apply this new driving style that is still alien to me. To me it doesn't feel natural, to a car that that's how it has to work." He previously made similar comments during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
• Building confidence: He noted that his pace and confidence build over the weekend, rather than being present from the start, which impacts his qualifying performance.

What's next:

Hamilton is hopeful that the significant regulation changes for the 2026 season will lead to a Ferrari car that aligns more naturally with his preferred driving style. "Hopefully next year it's not a driving style that's alien to me. Hopefully I can go back a little bit towards what I used to do," he concluded. Despite a challenging start, Hamilton has a contract with Ferrari through 2026, with a report option for 2027, indicating a long-term commitment to mastering the red machine.