Carlos Sainz Reveals Why Lewis Hamilton Faces the Same Struggles as Ricciardo at Ferrari in 2025

In the 2025 Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has presented unforeseen challenges, drawing parallels to Daniel Ricciardo’s earlier struggles with McLaren. Carlos Sainz, Hamilton’s predecessor at Ferrari, has offered insights into these difficulties, emphasizing the complexities of adapting to a new team’s dynamics and machinery.

The Challenge of Adaptation

Carlos Sainz highlighted the often-underestimated challenge of acclimating to a new team and car. He remarked, “Now that a seven-time champion is struggling, people are starting to understand that adapting to a new team isn’t just an excuse.” This sentiment reflects the broader realization within the F1 community about the intricacies involved in such transitions. 

Sainz own move from Ferrari to Williams required him to “unlearn” driving habits developed over years, underscoring the depth of adaptation required when switching teams. 

Ferrari’s Technical Hurdles

Beyond personal adaptation, Ferrari’s technical challenges have compounded Hamilton’s difficulties. The team’s recent upgrades reintroduced “porpoising,” a phenomenon where the car experiences vertical oscillations at high speeds, leading to instability and reduced performance. Sainz noted that this issue might be costing Ferrari more lap time than anticipated. 

Additionally, the SF-24’s design has shown vulnerabilities in medium-speed, long corners, a core weakness that persists despite various upgrades. Sainz emphasized that while the new packages function as intended, they haven’t addressed this fundamental limitation. 

Drawing Parallels with Ricciardo’s Experience

Daniel Ricciardo’s tenure at McLaren serves as a cautionary tale. Despite his proven track record, Ricciardo struggled to adapt to McLaren’s car dynamics, leading to underwhelming performances. Hamilton’s current challenges at Ferrari mirror this experience, highlighting that even seasoned champions can face significant hurdles when adjusting to new team environments and car characteristics.

Looking Ahead

Hamilton’s commitment to Ferrari remains unwavering, but the path to success requires both personal adaptation and technical advancements from the team. As the season progresses, the collaboration between Hamilton and Ferrari will be pivotal in overcoming these challenges and striving for competitive performances on the track.