Red alert for Lewis Hamilton – the record world champion still feels strange at Ferrari

There are few racetracks that challenge drivers as much as Spa-Francorchamps, where Formula 1 raced last weekend . The longest circuit in the premier class is considered the one where the men and boys are separated. The statistics underline this: Michael Schumacher holds the record with seven victories, followed by Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton with five. It's the Champions League of racing drivers.

But then Hamilton's final weekend, which he had entered with so much confidence, began with a spin in sprint qualifying, leaving the record world champion looking like a novice. He was finally trying to overcome his existential crisis. When he later had to appear in front of the TV cameras, which he usually faces so nonchalantly, he pulled his cap down over his face and kept his gaze downcast. He spoke about a braking problem caused by the new rear axle on his Ferrari.

That's the technical explanation, certainly. But the frustration and the causes run much deeper: He's not just disappointed with the Scuderia, but also with himself. "Hopefully," he said in Spa, he'll be able to cope better in the future. The next opportunity for that will be on Sunday in Hungary.

At least the race result from Spa is considered proof of a long-overdue upward trend: From 18th place on the grid, the Briton finished seventh, an impressive achievement given the difficult conditions and a car he's still unfamiliar with. He proved on the damp track that his racing instincts are still intact.

Hamilton has always been one of those drivers who has opened his soul to the outside world. If he's now more introverted, it means the situation at his new job is weighing heavily on him. No wonder, given that his move to Ferrari after more than a decade at Mercedes was one of the most spectacular in Grand Prix racing.

The 40-year-old wants to give it one more try and make a run for his eighth world championship title. Which is why the fate of his great predecessors in red is also on his mind: "Ferrari has had great champions like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. But none of them became world champions with the team. I don't want that to happen to me." Red alert.

The proud Scuderia and the equally self-confident Hamilton are catching up, but he hasn't truly settled into the team yet. He's only slowly getting used to this Ferrari, and the next developments are giving him hope. After thirteen races, he has yet to make it onto the podium. Compared to his teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished third at Spa, the Monegasque leads with 139 points to 109 and a 9-4 lead in qualifying duels.

Everything is different at Ferrari. Hamilton shouldn't be surprised; he had even hoped for it after all his time in the Silver Arrow. He's not sure the transition would be so difficult. He's also aware that this SF-24 isn't "his" car, but rather a car tailored to Leclerc, who has been with the team for seven years. A technical and mental disadvantage for Hamilton, one he'll have to make up for first.

This, despite all the public humility, creates a simmering conflict. And one recalls that both McLaren and Mercedes experienced emotional outbursts from Hamilton after persistent dissatisfaction. In Italy, they pricked up their ears when he recently demanded more effort from everyone: "Ferrari isn't firing on all cylinders."

A hint of this is provided by the dialogue over the pit radio with his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, who regularly brushes off Hamilton when he wants to take more risks. Every listener immediately senses the chemistry between the two; a trusting relationship sounds different.

Meanwhile, the performance engineer in Hamilton's garage has been replaced mid-season. This is unusual, and it doesn't exactly make acclimatization easier. The new technician at Hamilton's side is a veteran Mercedes driver. Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur likely hopes this will provide more security for his experienced driver.

Hamilton almost seems to have written off the current season. Is he already concentrating on the new start with the completely different generation of cars starting in 2026? He says: "I have to make sure that doesn't happen again next year. The Ferrari for 2026 must also carry my DNA." He has already gone a long way toward this goal: He has compiled his criticisms and considerations into two strategy papers, which he personally presented to company bosses John Elkann and Benedetto Vigna. A delicate matter in the always emotionally charged environment at Ferrari.

For Hamilton, however, the written expression of intent seemed essential: "If you always do everything the same, you always get the same results. That's why I'm questioning some things. After all, I came here to win." It's a question of mutual trust. Hamilton mustn't lose faith in himself, or the team will quickly lose faith in him.