Lewis Hamilton handed devastating timeline for Ferrari F1 progress

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton has been handed a worrying timeline over when he can expect to see progress with Ferrari.

The 40-year-old made the switch to the Scuderia at the start of 2025 having made the difficult decision to leave former team Mercedes, where he picked up six of his seven drivers' titles.

Hamilton's stellar career with the Silver Arrows had been trending downwards after the 2022 regulations change however, with his move to the Maranello F1 squad an attempt to revive his championship chances.

But, with just six rounds left in this year's campaign, the racing legend is sat down in sixth in the drivers' standings and Ferrari have dropped to third in the constructors'.

Across the final stages of the season, there are a maximum of 174 points up for grabs for Hamilton thanks to the six grands prix and three sprint races remaining on the calendar.

Though the British legend is mathematically way out of contention for this year's drivers' championship, he will be hoping to pick up as many of these points as possible to avoid allowing Ferrari rivals Red Bull to overtake his new team in the constructors' standings.

What is even more concerning is his lack of podiums, picking up one after winning the Chinese GP sprint, but failing to finish in the top three of any full-length race so far this year. Should the champion continue this trend for the rest of the season, he will be confronted with the first campaign of his career where he has not secured a grand prix podium.

How long will it take Hamilton to adapt to Ferrari?

Regardless of his struggles during his first championship in red, it's not all doom and gloom for Hamilton.

He had no say in the characteristics of the SF-25 and has remained positive over the chances of improving with Ferrari in 2026, where he will be driving a car that he has reportedly been instrumental in setting up.

But what could prove a make or break for Hamilton is the fact that the sport will once again undergo a regulations overhaul next year, with the competitive field likely reset.

Should he and Ferrari hit the ground running, we might see him competing for a record-breaking eighth title, although two-time champion Mika Hakkinen isn't so sure.

In a recent interview, the former McLaren star was asked what he made of Hamilton's struggles this year and his unwanted record of the most races without a podium since debuting with Ferrari.

“First of all, Lewis is just an incredible racing driver. He has succeeded in his career over the years, taking all the pressure that he’s been experiencing. It’s just unbelievable," the Finnish racer said.

The timeline he suggested for Hamilton to properly adapt to his new team however, was less positive, adding: "When you come to a new team, normally it can take four-five years until you can make the car to fit your driving style. Thus, Lewis has to have the patience to wait for such a long time. You normally don’t jump in the team and the car and say, ‘Oh, this car is fantastic. I’m going to win races.’ It requires a lot of work and a long time.”

Should Hakkinen's prediction prove true, Hamilton would be in his mid 40s before he starts to see progress and though success at that age isn't impossible, his patience could very well wear thin by the time 2029 rolls around.

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