Jacques Villeneuve has claimed that Lewis Hamilton seems unexcited about his future with Ferrari after a string of poor performances. He believes the partnership is not working between the team and the driver, and that Ferrari has not delivered on what they promised the 7-time World Champion.
This comes after Hamilton spun out during Free Practice 1 at the Dutch Grand Prix. Villeneuve, the 1997 World Champion, also blasted the lack of chemistry between Hamilton and his engineer, Riccardo Adami, also saying that the same goes for Charles Leclerc and his engineer, Bryan Bozzi.
Did Ferrari over-promise, or has Lewis Hamilton under-delivered?
It has been a very rocky season so far for Hamilton and Ferrari, with the driver struggling to match teammate Leclerc. However, Ferrari has also struggled with performance, unable to match McLaren and even its Constructors’ Championship competitors, Mercedes.
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 broadcast after Free Practice 1, Villeneuve shared his brutal thoughts on the current situation in the team.
He said, “They’re not getting what they signed, so there will be frustration in both camps. He’s not getting the car he was wanting, he doesn’t feel the team is behind him, the team doesn’t feel Lewis is with them.
“There is no chemistry, it’s as if they’re on different planets and they don’t even communicate. The same is true with Leclerc and his engineer. There is something really odd happening in that team that is not progressing in the right direction.”
🚨 | Lewis Hamilton sends a much-needed hopeful message to his fans after the Hungarian GP:
“It’s been a challenging weekend and one to move on from. We weren’t able to make the progress we hoped for, but I’m grateful for the effort everyone in the team put in throughout the…
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) August 4, 2025
Hamilton came out with some harsh comments at the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break, calling himself ‘useless’, and suggesting that Ferrari should find a new driver. Leclerc started the race at the Hungaroring on Pole Position, while Hamilton qualified 12th.
Will the 2026 regulations improve things for Hamilton and Ferrari?
While there are concerns about Hamilton’s future at Ferrari, there is hope that he will be able to improve his form once the 2026 regulations come into play, as ground effect is abandoned.
Drivers Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen, and Sergio Perez – now confirmed for Cadillac next year – have shown their support for Hamilton, arguing that he will bounce back and adjust to the car.
Fernando Alonso Drops Truth on Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Struggles and What Comes Next
In the build-up to the Dutch Grand Prix, Alonso told the media: “Lewis doesn’t need to prove anything. He’s an incredible driver and he will figure out sooner or later how to be at the top pace.”
Hamilton has stated he wants his ‘DNA’ in next year’s challenger, so will the 7-time World Champion and Ferrari be able to turn things around as they look ahead to 2026?
