Lewis Hamilton faces scrutiny ahead of new Formula One season
Lewis Hamilton has been identified by Formula One supporters as the driver facing the greatest scrutiny heading into the forthcoming campaign, reports BritPanorama.
A recent poll indicated that the seven-time world champion was viewed as carrying the heaviest burden of expectation among competitors from the leading teams. The survey, part of an ongoing series examining pressure across the grid, placed Hamilton ahead of his closest rival, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, by a significant margin.
Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari has been notably tumultuous. During the 2025 campaign, he failed to secure a single podium finish across twenty-four grand prix weekends, marking an unprecedented low in his illustrious career. Moreover, his championship standing reflected similar difficulties, with Hamilton finishing sixth, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by a substantial eighty-six points while driving identical machinery.
The SF-25, Ferrari’s current model, has been described as a shadow of its predecessor, failing to meet expectations. Hamilton’s challenges were compounded by his own frustrations, often visible during media engagements throughout the season. Former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher suggested that a potential fundamental flaw could threaten Hamilton’s future at the highest level. He pointed to Hamilton’s discomfort with simulator work as a key issue, indicating it could impact his performance.
“Behind the scenes, you hear that he doesn’t like simulators,” Schumacher remarked, underscoring a mental barrier in Hamilton’s approach to racing. “He’s no longer willing to open up,” he added, contrasting Hamilton’s needs for stability in car setup with Leclerc’s adaptability to a twitchier vehicle.
As Hamilton’s current contract with Ferrari is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2026 season, speculation continues about his future. Should he and Ferrari struggle under the current regulations, it is rumoured that Hamilton might consider stepping away from the sport. Meanwhile, the team is reportedly assessing Ollie Bearman, a promising twenty-year-old rookie, as a potential successor for the 2027 season.
Bearman exemplifies a new generation of drivers skilled in racing simulators, which are increasingly crucial for meeting the sport’s evolving technical demands.
As Formula One gears up for another competitive season, the unfolding narrative of Hamilton transcends mere statistics; it’s a reminder of the relentless pressures that accompany greatness in the sport.
