'Demoralised' Lewis Hamilton warned of 'real confrontation' ahead

Lewis Hamilton has been warned of the "real confrontation" with Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc that lies ahead following the troubled start to his time with the Scuderia.

Hamilton joined Ferrari to great fanfare at the start of the year after leaving Mercedes, a team with whom he won six of his seven F1 drivers' titles, and after a collaboration that had lasted over two decades.

Aside from a sprint victory in China at the second race weekend of the campaign, Hamilton has predominantly struggled. The 40-year-old has yet to secure a grand prix podium, in contrast to the five from Leclerc.

For the most part, 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve can appreciate to a certain extent the difficulties Hamilton is encountering, although was stunned to hear him berate himself so strongly after qualifying last weekend for the Hungarian Grand Prix, describing himself as "useless", and that Ferrari should get another driver.

"Lewis has had completely different experiences in Formula 1 and has always worked with the English and German methods in the past. Now he realises how different everything is at Ferrari," said Villeneuve, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's certainly surprising to see him so demoralised. There always seems to be some confusion at Ferrari about decisions and communication, even over the radio, and that doesn't help his adaptation."

Hamilton 'undoubtedly disappointing'

The past weekend in Budapest was Hamilton's worst of the season to date as he started and finished 12th around a track on which he holds the record for most wins at a single circuit with eight.

In fairness, with this being Hamilton's first season with Ferrari and Leclerc's seventh, it was always going to be a tough ask for the Briton to match the Monégasque, given his understanding and knowledge of the team.

Hamilton has also struggled with the ground-effect cars since their introduction in 2022. With new power units and regulations for next season, he looks set to go into it on more of a level playing field.

Villeneuve, though, feels Hamilton faces one of the toughest tests of his career in 2026.

"Next year will be the real confrontation with Leclerc," said Villeneuve.

"This car was not designed for Hamilton, and with the new regulations, everything will be turned upside down again in 2026.

"However, there was a lot of attention and expectation surrounding his arrival, and there is no denying that the initial period has been undoubtedly disappointing."