Maranello Under Pressure: Hamilton Returns to London Amidst Ferrari Scrutiny
Maranello, Italy & London, UK – April 25, 2025 – Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has returned to London today for a scheduled appearance, as pressure mounts on the Ferrari team following a less than stellar start to the 2025 season.
Hamilton, who made a highly anticipated switch to the Scuderia at the beginning of the year, was in London to open a new Fanatics Collectibles flagship store on Regent Street. Addressing a large crowd, Hamilton expressed his pride in the UK’s sporting fans and urged them to “keep your fingers crossed,” adding, “I’m not going to give up.” This public appearance comes at a time when the performance of Ferrari’s SF-25 car has fallen under intense scrutiny, with pundits suggesting the team is struggling to deliver the expected results.
The early races of the season have seen Hamilton grappling to find the optimal setup and communication with his new team. While teammate Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first podium finish of the season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Hamilton finished a considerable distance behind in the same machinery, admitting afterwards that he felt a “big opportunity” had been missed. This disparity in performance has led to speculation about Hamilton’s comfort and integration within the Ferrari setup.
Adding to the sense of unease, a former F1 star delivered a blunt assessment of Hamilton’s inability to match his rivals since joining Ferrari, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new team and car philosophy after a long and successful partnership with Mercedes.
Despite the external noise and the admitted need for a “drastic shift” in his driving style to gel with the Ferrari, Hamilton’s commitment appears unwavering. His return to the UK for a pre-planned engagement offers a brief respite from the intense environment at Maranello, but the focus will quickly shift to the Miami Grand Prix next weekend, where both Hamilton and Ferrari will be under immense pressure to demonstrate significant improvement.
Meanwhile, Ferrari themselves have remained tight-lipped on any internal assessments or potential changes. The team is undoubtedly working behind the scenes to understand the SF-25’s characteristics and how to unlock its full potential for both drivers. The coming races will be crucial in determining whether the partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari can indeed become the “fairytale move” many had anticipated, or if the initial struggles indicate deeper-rooted issues.