LEWIS HAMILTON : I TOLD YOU SO
Leclerc has delivered flashes of brilliance with five podium finishes, keeping Ferrari afloat in the standings. Yet even those results come with frustration. Pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix should have led to a win, but Ferrari’s familiar issues with strategy and race pace saw Leclerc tumble down to fourth. His anger in the media pen afterwards told the full story of Ferrari’s struggles.
For Lewis, the season has been even tougher. The seven-time world champion, who made the monumental switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, is still waiting for his first podium in red. His Sprint victory in Shanghai hinted at what could come, but since then, it has been a campaign of disappointment and near-misses.
At the Hungaroring, Lewis endured one of his hardest weekends yet, starting and finishing a distant 12th. In the aftermath, he openly suggested Ferrari should consider replacing him if they didn’t believe in his feedback. It was a brutally honest statement from a driver who has built his career on demanding excellence.
Montoya’s Verdict On Ferrari And Lewis
Former F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya has been watching Ferrari’s season closely, and he believes the Italian giants are finally beginning to accept that Lewis was right all along about their weaknesses. Speaking to AS Colombia, Montoya said Ferrari’s problems stem from the very foundations of their car.
“I really think it’s not a question of age,” Montoya explained. “It’s a question of Hamilton spending many years driving a certain type of car and a certain type of feeling. The Ferrari was completely different, and it’s not an easy car to drive. I think Ferrari is realising that their foundation is not good. It’s an unpredictable car, a complicated car, and they have to step back a bit because what they’re doing isn’t going to work for them.”
Montoya’s words echo what Lewis himself has been saying since the start of the season. The SF-25 is quick on its day, but it’s inconsistent, hard to set up, and brutal on tyres. The car doesn’t give its drivers confidence lap after lap, leaving both Lewis and Leclerc battling unpredictability rather than rivals on track.
A Familiar Struggle For Lewis
This situation isn’t new to Lewis. Since the introduction of F1’s ground effect regulations in 2022, he has often spoken about the unpredictable nature of the cars. His final years at Mercedes were spent wrestling with the infamous “porpoising” W13 and W14 machines, which never allowed him to showcase his full abilities consistently.
Now at Ferrari, the challenge feels eerily familiar. Once again, Lewis is fighting a car that refuses to behave in a predictable way. While Leclerc has managed to drag podiums out of the SF-25, Lewis has struggled to find a rhythm with it. Critics might point to age, but Montoya makes a crucial point: this isn’t about Lewis slowing down. It’s about Ferrari giving him a car that doesn’t play to his strengths.
For a driver who has built his legacy on precision, confidence, and adaptability, driving a car that constantly changes its behaviour is a nightmare scenario. Lewis thrives when he can build trust with his machine — something Ferrari has not yet given him.
Lewis’s Push For Change At Ferrari
One of the most fascinating storylines of 2025 has been Lewis’s determination to reshape Ferrari’s culture. We know he has been sending detailed documents to the team outlining how he believes they can improve not just the car, but also their operations.
This is remarkable because Ferrari has always been known for its rigid way of working. Even during Michael Schumacher’s legendary years, Ferrari operated with a very defined structure and culture. Lewis, however, has not been afraid to question that.
According to insiders, Lewis’s feedback has focused on three critical areas:
The way the SF-25 delivers downforce and its unpredictable balance.
The operational side of Ferrari’s strategy, pit stops, and decision-making.
The broader culture of the team and how they approach problem-solving.
By addressing not just the car but the very DNA of Ferrari’s processes, Lewis is taking a bold step few drivers would dare to attempt.
Ferrari’s Identity Crisis
Ferrari’s biggest issue isn’t just the SF-25’s performance; it’s their identity crisis. Are they a team willing to adapt and evolve in the modern F1 era, or are they stuck in the past, repeating mistakes of strategy and development that have haunted them for years?
Montoya’s comments hit at the heart of this dilemma. If Ferrari’s foundations are flawed, then it doesn’t matter how much talent Lewis and Leclerc bring to the table — the car will always hold them back. This isn’t the first time Ferrari has faced such a moment. Fans will remember the late 2010s and early 2020s, where flashes of pace were undone by errors in execution. For Lewis, who left Mercedes in search of a fresh challenge, this pattern must feel frustratingly familiar.
Why Ferrari Must Listen To Lewis
What makes this situation different, however, is that Ferrari now has a driver who knows exactly what it takes to win consistently at the highest level. Lewis has seen first-hand how Mercedes built a dynasty of success. He understands the details, the culture, and the relentless pursuit of perfection that separates champions from contenders.
By ignoring his input, Ferrari would be wasting the very reason they signed him. At 40 years old, Lewis isn’t here just to drive — he’s here to elevate the entire team. His experience, mindset, and championship pedigree are resources Ferrari cannot afford to squander.
Montoya believes Ferrari are starting to realise this. And if they don’t, the risk is clear: losing ground not just to Red Bull, but also to McLaren, who have emerged as the season’s biggest threat with their pace and consistency.
The Bigger Picture For Lewis And Ferrari
The 2025 season is far from over, but the summer break feels like a crucial turning point for Ferrari and Lewis. The team must use this time to reset, refine, and reimagine their approach. For Lewis, it’s about patience and persistence, continuing to push Ferrari to embrace change.
Yes, he is still chasing that first podium in Ferrari red, but anyone who doubts his motivation should look at his relentless efforts to improve the team from within. Lewis has never been the type to give up when faced with adversity — and history shows he often thrives when backed into a corner.
Ferrari fans may feel frustrated right now, but the potential remains huge. If the team listens to Lewis, embraces his vision, and strengthens their foundations, the partnership could still deliver something special.
Conclusion: Lewis Was Right All Along
Montoya’s verdict isn’t just an outside opinion — it’s confirmation of what Lewis has been saying for months. The SF-25 is not good enough, Ferrari’s processes need reform, and the team must evolve if they want to return to the top.
Lewis Hamilton didn’t join Ferrari to make up the numbers. He joined to build a legacy, to push himself in a new environment, and to restore the Scuderia to glory. That journey was never going to be easy, but with voices like Montoya backing his perspective, the pressure is now squarely on Ferrari to act.
As we head into the second half of the season, the big question is simple: will Ferrari truly listen to Lewis? If they do, the rewards could be monumental. If not, 2025 risks becoming another season of “what ifs” for the most famous team in Formula 1.
One thing is clear — Lewis Hamilton was right all along.
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