Ferrari’s Biggest Problem Is Not Hamilton or Leclerc ….. read more
At , it is always easier to point fingers at the drivers. That has been the reality for years, and it remains the case with and now leading the team.
Hamilton arrived carrying enormous expectations. A seven-time world champion moving to Ferrari was always going to attract global attention, and with that attention comes pressure. Every poor session becomes a headline, every disappointing finish sparks criticism, and every small mistake is magnified. Meanwhile, Leclerc has spent years being viewed as Ferrari’s golden talent, yet he still lacks the championship success many expected him to achieve by now.
Because of that, both drivers naturally become the centre of debate whenever Ferrari struggles. But the deeper issue inside the team is not really about which driver performs better. The bigger concern is Ferrari’s inability to provide a consistently competitive car throughout an entire race weekend.
The Miami Grand Prix was supposed to give Ferrari clearer answers. The team arrived with upgrades, hoping they would close the gap to the front and provide momentum for the rest of the season. There were encouraging moments during practice and qualifying that suggested progress had been made. At times, both Hamilton and Leclerc showed flashes of strong pace that hinted Ferrari might finally be moving in the right direction.
However, the race itself exposed the same weaknesses that have troubled Ferrari for some time.
The weekend became another example of inconsistency. There were moments where the car looked fast and capable of fighting near the front, but those moments never lasted long enough to build confidence. Instead, Ferrari once again found itself struggling to maintain performance once conditions changed during the race.
Team principal made it clear after the race that the problems were more complex than simply blaming one driver.
Hamilton’s race became difficult almost immediately after suffering damage on the opening lap. From that point onward, he had to manage overheating problems and protect the car until the finish. The situation limited what he could realistically achieve and prevented him from showing his true pace.
Leclerc’s race told a different story. When he had clean air ahead of him, his speed looked competitive enough to challenge near the front. But once he dropped into traffic, the performance disappeared. Ferrari struggled to maintain tyre behaviour and balance, causing the car’s pace to fall away dramatically compared to earlier stages of the race.
That contrast highlighted Ferrari’s biggest weakness: the car only performs well in a very narrow operating window.
When conditions are perfect, the Ferrari can look quick and threatening. But once temperatures change, tyre wear increases, or traffic affects airflow, the performance becomes unpredictable. Championship-winning teams are able to maintain a stable level of competitiveness across different race situations. Ferrari still appears unable to do that consistently.
It would be simple to turn every disappointing weekend into another judgement on Hamilton. Since his move to Ferrari was announced, expectations have remained incredibly high. Fans expected immediate victories and title fights, meaning any result below that standard feels like failure.
Leclerc faces similar scrutiny. His career at Ferrari has often been a mixture of brilliant performances and painful frustration. When he performs well, questions arise about whether the team can support him properly. When results are poor, critics begin doubting whether he can truly lead Ferrari back to championship glory.
Yet Miami suggested the issue lies elsewhere.
Hamilton did not suddenly lose his driving ability because of overheating problems caused by early damage. Leclerc did not suddenly become slower simply because he encountered traffic. The underlying problem is that Ferrari still cannot consistently deliver a car capable of maintaining strong performance across an entire race.
That is why the upgrades introduced in Miami cannot yet be viewed as a complete success. While they may have improved certain areas, they have not solved Ferrari’s biggest challenge — repeatability.
Until Ferrari produces a car that remains competitive in varying race conditions, the team will continue experiencing the same cycle of hope, brief promise, and disappointment. And until that changes, blaming Hamilton or Leclerc alone will continue missing the real problem.