Ex-F1 Driver Declares Ferrari Can’t 'Operate at the Highest Level' with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc

Ferrari’s 2025 slump deepens as Derek Daly argues the Leclerc–Hamilton pairing lacks complementary skill sets. Betting angle: avoid backing Ferrari for remaining race wins; favor Mercedes or Red Bull for podiums and consider conservative place bets on Leclerc/Hamilton rather than outright wins.

Ferrari’s 2025 Crisis: Two Talents, One Underperforming Team

Ferrari has struggled through the 2025 season, producing inconsistent results despite fielding two of the sport’s biggest names, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton’s best result to date is a sprint win in China, while Leclerc has been consistent but still seeking a maiden victory after 18 outings. The team slipped from a long-held P2 position to fall behind Mercedes and is now under pressure from Red Bull for P3.

Derek Daly’s Diagnosis: Driver Pairing Is the Root Cause

Former driver Derek Daly insists Ferrari’s problems stem from its driver lineup. Daly argues that top teams typically pair contrasting driver types—one with blistering, instant reflex speed and another who provides nuanced, feel-based feedback to engineers. Ferrari, he says, currently employs two “instant reflex” drivers, which deprives engineers of the detailed input needed to develop the car.

The Feedback Deficit: Why Two Reflex Drivers Hurt Development

According to Daly, instant-reflex drivers extract maximum performance when behind the wheel, but they do not always deliver the precise, feel-based feedback engineers need to diagnose and improve the car’s underlying issues. Without that complementary input, development stalls and performance gains are limited, making it difficult for Ferrari to climb back to the front pack.

Championship Impact and Betting Implications

With six races remaining, Ferrari faces an uphill battle to regain lost ground. Mercedes and Red Bull look better placed to secure podiums and victories, while Ferrari’s win chances appear slim in the short term. For punters, that suggests prioritizing favorites from Mercedes and Red Bull for race wins and considering conservative place or points bets on Ferrari drivers rather than outright victories.

Looking Ahead to 2026: Will Anything Change?

Daly warns that simply waiting for new regulations in 2026 won’t automatically solve the problem if the driver dynamic remains the same. The team needs a complementary driver profile or clearer feedback pathways to accelerate development. Both Leclerc and Hamilton are highly skilled and will push for better results, but structural changes—either in driver lineup or engineering processes—may be required for Ferrari to reclaim consistent front-running form.

Ferrari has faced a stiff challenge from its rivals in the 2025 season as they have failed to put forth the best results for the team. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are giving it their all to perform well, but have failed to achieve success so far.

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