Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has faced sharp criticism for his weak start of the 2025 season with Ferrari. After six races, the British driver is significantly trailing behind his teammate Charles Leclerc.
Former racer Jacques Villeneuve believes Hamilton may not live up to the expectations placed on him by the Italian team.
Ferrari are like a volcano. You need those fireworks. You need the passion, the spark to set things off. If you don’t have the sparks, that’s a problem at Ferrari. There’s not much time. The key point is how it will be once they all get back to Europe. They haven’t had time to take a breather. Let’s wait until Monaco. Then we will see what happens.
The former driver also highlighted that after many years at Mercedes, where Hamilton was overprotected, the British racer finds himself in a new and much harsher environment that he hasn’t yet adapted to. Villeneuve believes that if Hamilton starts doubting himself, it will be extremely difficult for him to return to his previous level.
For context, Hamilton joined Ferrari in 2025 after spending 11 seasons with Mercedes, where he won six championship titles. The next race of the season will take place on May 18 — the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit.
