Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has broken his silence on the root cause of his disappointing performances in 2025 — and his message to Ferrari could not be more direct.
In an explosive post-race interview following another underwhelming finish at the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton revealed that persistent rear-end instability in the SF-25 has left him feeling disconnected from the car — and dangerously close to walking away.
“I’ve been saying it for months now — the rear end is just too loose,” Hamilton stated. “I can’t feel the car through the corners, and when you can’t trust the machine underneath you, there’s no way to compete at the front. It’s like driving blind.”
The British driver has only scored 41 points so far this season, trailing well behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and sitting a distant seventh in the standings. It’s a far cry from the fairytale many had imagined when he made the switch from Mercedes to Ferrari earlier this year.
In a firm and pointed message to Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur, Hamilton laid down a public ultimatum: “If they don’t sort this out — and I mean fast — I’ll retire. I didn’t come to Ferrari to finish in the midfield. I came here to win. If that’s not possible, I’m done.”
His remarks come after former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley suggested that Hamilton’s struggles could stem from the SF-25’s unpredictable rear — an issue that seems to worsen with the current ground-effect regulations.
“This car isn’t designed around how Lewis drives,” Smedley commented. “It’s twitchy in the rear, and for a driver who relies so much on feel and flow, that’s devastating.”
Sources within the Ferrari garage have confirmed that a new aerodynamic package is being rushed ahead of the Imola Grand Prix in hopes of resolving the handling issues. However, insiders caution that fundamental flaws in the car’s concept may require a deeper overhaul than quick-fix updates.
For now, Hamilton remains visibly frustrated but focused — hoping, perhaps for the last time, that Ferrari can provide him with the tools to fight at the front.
“I’ve given everything to this sport,” Hamilton said. “But I won’t keep fighting with a car that fights me back.”