Lewis Hamilton’s difficulties at Ferrari primarily arise from the complexities associated with changing teams, as stated by F1 competitor Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard, who was succeeded by the seven-time world champion after a four-year tenure with the Scuderia, is currently facing his own initial challenges at Williams. Hamilton has finished within the top 10 in each of his nine Grand Prix appearances this season – although he was subsequently disqualified in Shanghai – yet none of these results have placed him on the podium, with four of those finishes being seventh or lower.
In contrast, the Brit’s teammate has been performing exceptionally well. Charles Leclerc achieved his second consecutive podium finish in Barcelona during the most recent race, elevating Ferrari to second position in the Constructors’ Championship standings. The atmosphere in the two sections of the Prancing Horse’s garage reflects a stark difference.
The process of adapting to F1 is one that Sainz has personally undergone. Although the four-time Grand Prix champion has made a name for himself as one of the most exceptional and reliable talents on the grid since his arrival at Ferrari, this achievement came after his time with Toro Rosso, Renault, and McLaren.
“I comprehend their situation, as I am aware of how challenging it can be,” he stated when questioned about Hamilton’s frustrations. “Pride? No. I grasp why it is so difficult because I have endured the experience of changing teams five times, and this is a topic that was rarely discussed in the past, the adaptation process.
Previously, there was an expectation for everyone to arrive by the third race. I recall my experiences with [Daniel] Ricciardo when he transitioned to Renault and subsequently to McLaren; there was a necessary adaptation period. I too have undergone similar adjustments with each team change. In the past, it seemed that people were skeptical or regarded it as somewhat of an excuse. However, now that a seven-time champion is also switching [teams] and facing challenges, it somewhat validates what I had been expressing five or ten years ago, which perhaps you were not inclined to accept, but now it appears you do.
Sainz finds himself in a comparable situation to Hamilton with his new team. Given his background, many anticipated that the Spaniard would swiftly challenge Alex Albon’s position as the team leader at Williams. However, the Thai-British driver has elevated his performance to another level in 2025, while the new addition has encountered new obstacles.
As we approach the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, Albon boasts an impressive total of 42 points, placing him just six points behind Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. In contrast, Sainz has accumulated 13 points, with all five of his point finishes occurring in eighth place or lower.
