Villeneuve Slams Hamilton-Ferrari Chemistry Crisis

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Lewis Hamilton faces harsh criticism from 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve, who claims there is "zero chemistry" between Hamilton and Ferrari. Villeneuve described Hamilton and his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, as being "on different planets," highlighting the seven-time champion’s struggles since joining Ferrari in 2025. This article details Villeneuve’s critique, Hamilton’s performance at Zandvoort, and its implications for Ferrari, based on the official report from RacingNews365.

Villeneuve’s Scathing Assessment

Speaking on Sky Sports F1, Jacques Villeneuve delivered a brutal verdict on Hamilton’s relationship with Ferrari. “They’re not getting what they signed for, from both the team and Lewis. There’s no chemistry at all. It’s as if they’re on a different planet,” Villeneuve stated. He pointed to a lack of effective communication between Hamilton and his engineer, Riccardo Adami, during races. Villeneuve also noted similar issues between Charles Leclerc and his engineer, suggesting broader dysfunction within the team.

Villeneuve further remarked, “In interviews, Lewis doesn’t seem excited. It’s as if he doesn’t want to go to work. It’s really strange.” He believes Hamilton is already focusing on the 2026 season, when new regulations take effect, but stressed that team chemistry must be built now, especially in challenging times. “Chemistry is built when things are tough, not when it’s easy. But there’s no chemistry in Ferrari, not just with Lewis and his engineer, but across the entire team,” he added.

Struggles at Zandvoort

Hamilton and Leclerc endured a dismal Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix, finishing 14th and 15th, 1.6 seconds behind Lando Norris of McLaren. This performance reflects Ferrari’s broader struggles this season, with Hamilton yet to secure a podium since leaving Mercedes. After the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton called himself “useless” and expressed a need for a reset during the summer break.

At Zandvoort, Hamilton admitted to seeking the “fun” in F1 racing again, noting that the pressure at Ferrari was unexpected. Villeneuve interpreted these comments as a sign of disengagement, exacerbating the lack of synergy with the team. “They have two great drivers and all the tools they need, yet they’re not progressing. It’s down to the people and the lack of chemistry,” Villeneuve asserted.

Implications for Ferrari

The absence of chemistry highlighted by Villeneuve poses a significant challenge for Ferrari, led by Fred Vasseur. Despite boasting two top-tier drivers in Hamilton and Leclerc, the team struggles to compete with McLaren and Red Bull. Villeneuve questioned why a team of Ferrari’s stature is stagnating, attributing it to internal issues like poor communication and collaboration.

Hamilton, with seven world titles, was expected to bring expertise and competitive edge to Ferrari. However, his lack of podiums and poor showing at Zandvoort have intensified scrutiny. Villeneuve urged Hamilton and the team to build chemistry now to prepare for the 2026 regulation changes, which could reshape the competitive landscape.

Ferrari must address these internal challenges to unlock the potential of Hamilton and Leclerc. With McLaren, led by Zak Brown, dominating at Zandvoort and Red Bull, backed by Christian Horner and Adrian Newey, remaining strong, Ferrari needs to enhance team coordination. Hamilton, known for his resilience, is expected to rediscover his form to help the team recover in the remaining races.