Ferrari is leaning towards Leclerc while Hamilton struggles to adjust.

      "Lewis simply finds it more challenging to adapt."

      Concerns are increasing regarding Lewis Hamilton's future at Ferrari, as the seven-time world champion continues to lag behind Charles Leclerc and faces difficulties adapting midway through his first season with the team.

      At Spa, Leclerc excelled in all conditions with the new rear suspension, while Hamilton fell further off the pace, raising suggestions that Ferrari is now developing more according to Leclerc’s feedback.

      "Compared to Hamilton, Leclerc had an exceptional weekend with the new car," stated Ralf Schumacher on Sky Deutschland. "He performed well in every condition, which is a positive trend for him and the team. However, this doesn’t make things easier for Lewis, as the team will naturally pay more attention to Charles."

      Schumacher observed that Hamilton, now 40, seems increasingly affected by change. "Lewis simply struggles more with adaptations. Perhaps the new rear suspension unintentionally aligns better with Leclerc’s driving style."

      Hamilton, who transitioned to Ferrari this season after a lengthy tenure at Mercedes, has shown glimpses of potential, particularly in China, but has predominantly trailed behind. While Schumacher empathized, he expressed uncertainty about the long-term prospects. "It’s somewhat disheartening to witness," he remarked. "If the season concludes in this manner, I question whether this partnership is viable in the long run."

      Gary Anderson, former technical director at Jaguar and Jordan, suggested Hamilton may be realizing the true strength of Leclerc after previously being Ferrari's focal point. "Hamilton might also be coming to terms with just how good Leclerc is," Anderson told The Telegraph. "His teammate has been at Maranello since 2019 and is seen as their great hope."

      Despite this, team principal Frederic Vasseur defended the team dynamics: "Charles and Lewis are both in good shape, and the team is performing well."

      Hamilton’s influence remains strong in several areas. Italian engineer Luca Diella has joined Ferrari as his new performance engineer, rekindling a technical collaboration that lasted from 2019 to 2024 at Mercedes.

      Pedro de la Rosa, who has closely worked with both Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, dismissed the notion that age is a factor. "There’s no indication that either of them wants, can, or should retire," he commented on El Larguero (Cadena SER). "With proper care, you can extend your career for many years."