​Jenson Button has suggested that Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence is largely tied to the way this generation of Formula 1 machinery complements his driving style, rather than simply his adjustment to life at Ferrari. The seven-time world champion has been back in strong form this season, building on a solid start with his new team. Hamilton recorded his first podium for Ferrari with a third-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, marking a promising beginning to his tenure with the Maranello outfit. He followed that up with two more podiums, securing runner-up finishes in Canada and Monaco, before clinching his debut Ferrari victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari came at the start of 2025 after a 12-year tenure with Mercedes. His first season with Ferrari presented its own set of challenges as he acclimated to a different environment, but Button believes that the improved comfort Hamilton has found within the team this year has contributed to his boost in performance. Still, he argues that the more influential factor is the car itself, with the new regulations playing a crucial role in enabling Hamilton to maximize his natural speed and driving instinct.
“I’m sure over the winter they had time to sit down and discuss what worked for him, what doesn’t work for him,” Button said on the Sky Sports F1 Show. He acknowledged the complexities of building the right working relationship within a new team, noting the intimate dynamic between a driver and engineer. “It’s the first year, you know, their relationship, the engineer relationship is always a really tricky one as well, especially when you’ve left someone like Bono [Peter Bonnington] at Mercedes. It’s such a close relationship. So, it does take a minute.”
Nevertheless, Button stressed that, while team integration matters, the fundamental factor remains the car. “It has to be part of it, but I still think the biggest part of it is just the car. The car suits his style more. It’s a Formula 1 car he’s used to driving in terms of feel. For me, that is way above settling into a team and making them listen.”
Button added a note about Hamilton’s performance trajectory at Mercedes in the years prior, suggesting that Hamilton’s level of dominance had fluctuated. He pointed out that the Lewis Hamilton seen in the latter years at Mercedes had not always displayed the same edge in qualifying as in the peak years, with George Russell often getting the better of him in qualifying sessions. In Button’s view, the current period reflects a shift back toward a car and package that align with Hamilton’s natural strengths, returning Formula 1 to a more “normal” feel for the seven-time champion.
Ultimately, Button’s assessment centers on the idea that the 2025 regulations have created a more forgiving and intuitive platform for Hamilton, allowing him to express his speed more freely. The combination of a familiar driving feel and a car that complements his style appears to be re-energizing Hamilton, enabling him to extract competitive results at Ferrari while continuing to challenge the sport’s elite.
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