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Max Verstappen gives his view on Lewis Hamilton’s difficult first season at Ferrari
Max Verstappen has provided insight into Lewis Hamilton’s struggles in his debut season at Ferrari, citing challenges with settling in and communication with his race engineer as key factors.
Hamilton’s performance in the 2025 season has fallen short of expectations, with no podium finishes to date.
Despite occasional displays of speed, like his victory in the China sprint, Hamilton has not found consistent success with the Maranello-based team.
His outspoken nature, especially in post-race interviews, drew attention from Ferrari’s chairman, who emphasized the need for less talk and more focus on racing.
While Hamilton remains unfazed by comparisons to teammate Charles Leclerc, who has secured all seven podiums for Ferrari, 2026 poses a significant test for both driver and team as they aim for competitive performance under new regulations.
Verstappen, having won three more titles since his 2021 championship battle with Hamilton, expressed understanding for Hamilton’s challenges at Ferrari, acknowledging the difficulty of transitioning from Mercedes and competing against a driver like Leclerc who continues to improve.
