Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari has not unfolded the way many had envisioned, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko claiming the seven-time world champion appears “desperate” after a rough start to the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Maranello was met with widespread fanfare, but just a few months into his Ferrari career, the optimism has faded. Plagued by issues adapting to the SF-25’s unpredictable rear end, Hamilton has struggled under braking and in high-speed corners — key areas where Ferrari’s car still falls short.
The 40-year-old has only collected 31 points so far, with his worst showing coming at the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix where he was consistently slower than Charles Leclerc across nearly every session in Jeddah. Despite a strong Q1 thanks to new tyres, Hamilton ended the race seventh, finishing over 30 seconds behind his teammate — a margin he had not endured since 2017.
Marko believes Hamilton is focused beyond 2025
Speaking to F1-Insider, Helmut Marko offered a blunt assessment of Hamilton’s performances, suggesting the Briton’s mind is already on the next big Formula 1 regulation overhaul in 2026.
“He [Hamilton] does indeed seem desperate,” Marko said of the Ferrari driver. “But I believe he’s waiting for the 2026 car and hopes that Ferrari will not only hit the jackpot with this car, but that the Scuderia will also build a car that he can handle better.”
Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes after 13 seasons was heavily influenced by the upcoming regulation changes. In 2026, Formula 1 will introduce sweeping new engine and chassis rules, aiming to make the cars more efficient and sustainable.
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The last time F1 underwent such dramatic changes, Hamilton’s foresight paid dividends — he moved to Mercedes ahead of the 2014 hybrid era, laying the foundation for six of his seven world titles. Ferrari is now hoping a similar gamble will work in his favour once again.
However, early indicators in 2025 paint a bleak picture. Hamilton’s average finishing position so far stands at 7.25, while his average qualifying result is 7.4. His average gap to the race winner is 28.820 seconds, and he trails the podium finishers by an average of 19.602 seconds.
Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner has also voiced concerns, warning that Hamilton’s visible frustration could soon morph into a deeper loss of confidence if Ferrari’s performance does not improve quickly.
