Lewis Hamilton has described his 2025 Ferrari F1 car as "unbelievably tricky to drive" in wet conditions, highlighting the steep challenges he faces adapting to the new machine. Speaking after a difficult British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where his podium streak ended with a fourth-place finish, Hamilton admitted the car was the most difficult he has ever driven in the rain. Despite his experience and skill in wet weather, the SF-25’s behavior in slippery conditions has proven particularly challenging.

Hamilton’s struggles with the Ferrari in the wet are not new. His debut race with the Italian team at the Australian Grand Prix was marred by rain, where he found the car “really, really hard to drive.” He struggled to adapt to the different power unit and steering settings compared to his previous Mercedes car, which required a new driving style and setup. The race was chaotic, with safety cars and strategic missteps, including a delayed switch to intermediate tyres that cost him track position. Hamilton described the experience as “worse than I thought,” emphasizing the difficulty of managing the car in treacherous conditions.

The complexity of driving the Ferrari in the wet lies partly in how the car’s downforce and grip levels change dynamically during braking and cornering, demanding precise modulation from the driver. Hamilton’s mastery in wet conditions with Mercedes was partly due to his ability to sense and manage these grip changes expertly. However, the SF-25’s characteristics require him to relearn these skills, as the car does not respond as predictably, making it harder to maximize performance without losing control.

Hamilton continues to work closely with his team to understand the Ferrari’s wet weather settings and improve his performance. The learning curve remains steep as he adapts to the new car’s unique demands. Despite the difficulties, Hamilton remains focused on extracting data and experience from these challenging conditions to enhance his future races with Ferrari.