Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated move to Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season was billed as one of the most exciting and historic shifts in the sport’s modern era. Fans imagined the seven-time world champion donning the iconic red suit and spearheading the Scuderia’s return to championship glory. However, just over halfway through the season, that dream is beginning to look fractured, with Hamilton openly admitting after the Hungarian Grand Prix that several promises made to him before joining have not been fulfilled.

Arriving in Budapest, expectations were cautiously optimistic. Ferrari had shown flashes of pace earlier in the season, and the Hungaroring’s technical layout seemed to suit their car’s strengths. Yet the weekend quickly descended into another chapter of frustration for Hamilton. Despite a strong showing in Friday practice, qualifying left him starting from the middle of the grid. The race itself brought little redemption, as a series of strategy missteps and lacklustre pace saw him cross the line outside the points—a bitter outcome for a driver of his calibre.

Speaking to reporters post-race, Hamilton’s tone was unusually candid. “There were things discussed when I signed with Ferrari—clear commitments about development, strategy, and the direction of the team,” he revealed. “Right now, I can’t say those promises have been kept. It’s not great behind the scenes, and that’s something we have to address quickly if we want to fight at the front.”

The comments immediately sent ripples through the paddock. Hamilton is known for choosing his words carefully, and his willingness to speak so openly hinted at deeper frustrations within the team. Insiders have suggested that disagreements over car development priorities and a lack of clarity in the decision-making process have been a source of tension. The British driver, accustomed to Mercedes’ highly structured and data-driven approach, appears to be struggling to adapt to Ferrari’s more traditional and sometimes chaotic operational style.

The Hungarian GP highlighted many of the issues Hamilton has been hinting at in recent weeks. Ferrari’s pit strategy was again under scrutiny, with an early stop putting Hamilton back into traffic and forcing him to burn through his tires too quickly. Radio communications between the driver and his engineer appeared hesitant, with changes to tire strategy coming too late to have a meaningful impact. As the laps wound down, Hamilton’s frustration was evident, and by the chequered flag, it was another missed opportunity.

Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur downplayed the notion of broken promises, insisting that the team is working hard to integrate Hamilton into its long-term plans. “We’re still in the process of building a foundation with Lewis. He is bringing incredible experience to the team, but Formula 1 is a long game. We’re committed to improving and meeting his expectations,” Vasseur said after the race.

However, for Hamilton, time may feel more urgent. At 40 years old, the Briton remains one of the most competitive drivers on the grid, but opportunities to fight for an eighth world title are diminishing. His move to Ferrari was seen as a final, bold gamble—a chance to make history by returning the Scuderia to championship-winning form. The fear among fans is that the current disconnect could turn that gamble into disappointment.

Despite the tension, Hamilton insisted he has not lost faith in the team entirely. “Ferrari is a special place, and I still believe we can achieve great things together,” he said. “But belief has to be matched with action. We’ve got work to do.”

As Formula 1 heads into the second half of the season, all eyes will be on how Ferrari responds to their star driver’s concerns. Whether this is the start of a turnaround or the deepening of a rift could define not just Hamilton’s legacy, but also Ferrari’s place in the sport’s modern era.