Jonas Leo
Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, has conveyed a sense of regret regarding Lewis Hamilton’s notably difficult 2025 season, which saw the Briton struggle to adapt during his inaugural campaign with Ferrari. Despite securing a sprint victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton consistently found himself trailing his teammate, Charles Leclerc, and notably concluded the season without a single podium finish, marking a significant departure from his illustrious career record.
The 2025 season, Hamilton’s nineteenth in Formula 1, is widely considered his most challenging, leading to visible frustration and bewilderment from the seven-time world champion over his inability to extract optimal performance from the complex SF-25 chassis. Verstappen, who has been a prominent rival to Hamilton in recent championship battles, expressed his observations on the veteran’s predicament. "It hasn’t been a good season for him, of course," the Dutch driver remarked during an interview with Viaplay, adding, "You can tell from everything, like the onboard radio." When the interviewer suggested Hamilton’s struggles "really hurt," Verstappen responded, "To be honest, for me too. I don’t like seeing that. I don’t know about quitting. He won’t give up, so he’ll definitely be there. But it’s not nice to see."
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season was one of the most anticipated transfers in recent Formula 1 history. After an unprecedented era of success with Mercedes, which yielded six of his seven world titles, the switch to the iconic Scuderia was framed as a final career chapter, a quest for an eighth championship with the sport’s most storied team. Expectations were sky-high, both from the tifosi and the wider F1 community. However, the reality of the SF-25 proved to be a stark contrast to the competitive machinery Hamilton had been accustomed to. While Charles Leclerc, who has spent his entire F1 career with Ferrari, appeared to navigate the car’s nuances more effectively, Hamilton’s adaptation proved protracted and arduous. The lack of outright pace, coupled with inconsistent performance across various track types, meant that Hamilton, a driver synonymous with victory and podiums, was often relegated to the midfield, a position he rarely occupied during his dominant years. The Chinese Grand Prix sprint race offered a fleeting moment of brilliance, but it was an anomaly in a season largely defined by an inability to contend at the sharp end of the grid.
The challenges at Ferrari reignited speculation about Hamilton’s future, including rumors of an early retirement. However, the soon-to-be 41-year-old swiftly dismissed such talk, reiterating his commitment to the sport. Hamilton is poised to become the fourth-oldest driver in the 21st century next year, a testament to his enduring presence in Formula 1. His longevity is a subject of growing interest, particularly in comparison to other veterans on the grid.
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One such veteran is Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, who remains an active and highly competitive force in the sport. Alonso, whose F1 debut dates back to 2001, is set to turn 45 during the 2026 season, making him the oldest active F1 driver since Graham Hill in 1975. His continued ability to lead Aston Martin’s efforts in the constructors’ championship, consistently outperforming his teammate Lance Stroll, provides a compelling counterpoint to the notion of age-related decline. In 2023, Alonso demonstrated remarkable form, securing multiple podium finishes and showcasing the competitive fire that has defined his career.
Verstappen, while acknowledging Alonso’s exceptional endurance, offered a perspective on the increasing difficulties drivers face with age. "I think what you miss most… is more the physical discomforts. You suffer more from things. These cars aren’t the most comfortable to drive anyway," he explained. "And when you’re older, you naturally suffer more. Your shoulder, your back, your neck. I think it takes a bit more effort to keep everything in shape. So that’s something you have to focus on a lot more."
The physical demands of modern Formula 1 cars are immense. Drivers experience sustained G-forces during cornering, braking, and acceleration, requiring exceptional core strength, neck stability, and overall cardiovascular fitness. As drivers age, the body’s recovery rate typically slows, and the risk of cumulative injuries or persistent discomfort increases. This necessitates a more rigorous and tailored physical training regimen to maintain peak performance levels. For a driver like Hamilton, who has endured nearly two decades of this physical toll, adapting to a new car concept at an advanced stage of his career, while simultaneously battling the inherent physical challenges of aging, presents a multifaceted hurdle.
Verstappen further elaborated on the motivational aspect, linking it to car performance. "Personally, I think that when I’m 40, 44… I won’t be the same as I am now. But maybe not in terms of motivation either. And if you’re not in a top car, then definitely not," he stated. He referenced Alonso’s 2023 season, where the Aston Martin package allowed the Spaniard to compete for podiums. "I think if Fernando were in a top car then… Like in 2023, you know, then he could compete for a podium. Then you see the fighter come out again. But when you’ve been world champion twice… and you’ve already won a lot… and you’re driving for P10… Yes, then you think [why am I doing this?]."
This perspective highlights a critical factor in a champion’s longevity: the machinery available to them. For drivers who have tasted consistent success and championship glory, the motivation to continue enduring the physical and mental rigors of Formula 1 can wane if they are no longer in a position to compete for victories and podiums. The shift from challenging for world titles to battling for minor points can be a profound psychological adjustment. Hamilton’s 2025 season at Ferrari, where he was consistently out of contention for the top spots, could be interpreted through this lens. Despite his immense talent, the SF-25’s characteristics and the team’s overall performance placed him in an unfamiliar and frustrating competitive landscape.
Historically, even the greatest champions have faced periods of struggle or transition. Michael Schumacher, after his initial retirement and subsequent return with Mercedes, experienced seasons where he was not contending for championships, albeit contributing significantly to the team’s development. Alain Prost and Niki Lauda also demonstrated that periods away from the sport or with less competitive machinery could precede renewed success, often when paired with a dominant car. Hamilton’s situation at Ferrari is unique in its context: a move to a new team after an extended period of dominance, at an age when many drivers would have already retired.
Ferrari’s overall performance in 2025, while perhaps not meeting the lofty expectations set by Hamilton’s arrival, saw Charles Leclerc secure several podiums and maintain a stronger points tally. The team finished third in the Constructors’ Championship, a position they have frequently occupied in recent years, but still a considerable distance from the dominant Red Bull Racing. The SF-25, while showing flashes of potential, lacked the consistent performance and stability required to challenge Red Bull or even Mercedes, which managed to secure a few more competitive outings post-Hamilton.
The narrative surrounding Hamilton’s 2025 season and Verstappen’s empathetic remarks underscores the complex interplay of talent, machinery, physical endurance, and psychological motivation in elite motorsport. As Hamilton prepares for the 2026 season, the focus will undoubtedly be on his ability to overcome the challenges of his debut Ferrari year and reassert his formidable presence on the Formula 1 grid, a task made even more intriguing by the ever-present specter of age and the relentless pursuit of performance.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When heโs not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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