By Graham Duxbury @TheRealDux

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has offered an insight into Lewis Hamilton’s challenging first season in red, attributing the seven-time world champion’s struggles to the “huge cultural differences” between Mercedes and Ferrari.

After 12 years embedded in Mercedes’ uniquely-structured environment, Hamilton’s move to Maranello has evidently demanded major adaptations both on and off the track.

His campaign hit an emotional low at the Hungarian Grand Prix earlier this year when, after being eliminated in Q2 as team-mate Charles Leclerc went on to take pole position, Lewis claimed he was “useless” and that the team should consider a driver change.

Everything at Ferrari is different, from processes to communication flow, explains Vasseur who says that the problems are not only about the car; “it’s about how you work with hundreds of people in a completely new culture.”

Hamilton’s early races have lacked the sparkle fans expected, with results hovering in the midfield rather than delivering the multiple-podium finishes many anticipated. Vasseur insists patience is key: “Lewis needs time to understand the Ferrari way, and we need time to integrate him fully.”

Can Hamilton turn the corner soon? The tifosi hope so. A GP podium this season remains possible, provided the team capitalises on upgrades and Hamilton aligns with Ferrari’s rhythm.

Whether Hamilton can master the Scuderia’s unique ecosystem could define the next chapter of his legendary career.