Formula 1 World Championship 2025, Round 8, Monaco Grand Prix, Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Saturday 24 May 2025 - Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Ferrari SF-25 crashed in the third practice session.

Hamilton's 'true' weakness exposed? Why he still can't settle in at Ferrari

09:06, 29 May

Updated: 09:54, 29 May

byNorberto Mujica

Former F1 driver, Nick Heidfeld 'thinks' there's more to come from Lewis Hamilton's stint at Ferrari, but his age poses a challenge that according to the German, is hindering his adaptation process at the Scuderia.

Lewis Hamilton was presented as a Ferrari driver to great fanfare, as the Scuderia looked set to part-take in the title races, both in the Constructors' as well as the Drivers' championships.

However, after 8 rounds they're looking net in the face to a near 100 points gap in the Drivers' standings to leader Oscar Piastri, and in the Constructors' a whopping 177 delta to the dominant McLaren.

Whether the Scuderia or Charles Leclerc, or Hamilton himself, will be able to close the gaps in either category, remains to be seen. What Heidfeld does not however, is that the Briton is currently lagging behind his Monegasque teammate.

Is there more to come from Hamilton at Ferrari? "I think so," says the German in an interview with F1-Insider. "If the car suits him, he can still perform at his best. In China, you saw it."

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Formula 1 World Championship 2025, Round 8, Monaco Grand Prix, Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Sunday 25 May 2025 - Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Ferrari.

'Age, the proverbial pebble in Hamilton's shoe'

Though, the much older Hamilton still trails Leclerc, sees the former F1 driver.

"But compared to Leclerc, he is currently behind - especially in qualifying. And of course, even if some don't like to hear it now: He is no longer the youngest. If you compare it to the Hamilton five or ten years ago, you can see differences."

The Briton's situation is not quite comparable to F1's other seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher, since the Ferrari legend was retired from the sport for three years, whereas for Hamilton it was a transition between teams.

The Mercedes to Ferrari switch, however, may be all the more difficult for Hamilton, namely due to his age, Heidfeld believes.

"Michael was out for several years, Lewis, on the other hand, drove throug. But it shows: After many years in the same environment, a team change is difficult. Lewis was perfectly integrated at Mercedes – now he has to get used to a new car. And the older you get, the harder it is to make such a new beginning."