Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc responds candidly to Lewis Hamilton's predicament at the racing team
Struggles for Hamilton in Ferrari's Red Sectors
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, is currently grappling with a challenging phase in his career at Ferrari. After joining the Italian team from Mercedes, Hamilton has yet to secure a podium finish in 14 races this season.
Hamilton's struggles are multifaceted, with challenges ranging from adapting to Ferrari's unique team culture, dealing with car issues post FIA rule changes, and the exceptional performance of his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who consistently outperforms him.
In a moment of frustration, Hamilton publicly referred to himself as "absolutely useless" and hinted that Ferrari might need to consider a driver change. However, Leclerc, his teammate, has shown unwavering support, emphasising the importance of the team's success above individual results.
Leclerc's public support for Hamilton is a testament to the team's collective spirit, despite the performance disparities and cultural challenges that have arisen. Despite Hamilton's poor track form, he remains a significant commercial asset for Ferrari, generating substantial revenue.
Ferrari's team principal, Frédéric Vasseur, admitted that the team underestimated the cultural difference between Mercedes/McLaren and Ferrari, which has impacted Hamilton's performance and adaptation. Vasseur also emphasised that Hamilton tends to exaggerate Ferrari's problems but remains patient with him.
Meanwhile, Leclerc leads Ferrari's internal classification this season, a stark contrast to Hamilton's performance. McLaren's dominance in recent races has further complicated Ferrari's situation. As a result, Ferrari's internal expectations have had to adjust to a more demanding reality.
Looking forward, Ferrari faces a dual mission for the second half of the season: to improve overall performance and provide support to Hamilton. Leclerc has expressed optimism for Hamilton's prospects in the coming races, emphasising the importance of collective work over individual results.
[1] BBC Sport. (2022). Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari 'need to change drivers', says seven-time F1 world champion. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/62204316
[2] Sky Sports. (2022). Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari 'underestimated' challenge of signing me, says team principal Frédéric Vasseur. [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/13040/12657215/lewis-hamilton-ferrari-underestimated-challenge-of-signing-me-says-team-principal-fredric-vasseur
[3] Motorsport.com. (2022). Hamilton: I'm too old to be in a team like this. [online] Available at: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hamilton-im-too-old-to-be-in-a-team-like-this/9179904/
[4] Autosport. (2022). Hamilton: Ferrari should consider changing drivers amid poor form. [online] Available at: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/163944/hamilton-ferrari-should-consider-changing-drivers-amid-poor-form
[5] The Guardian. (2022). Lewis Hamilton: 'I'm absolutely useless' as Ferrari struggles continue. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/28/lewis-hamilton-im-absolutely-useless-as-ferrari-struggles-continue-formula-1
- "Despite Hamilton's current struggles at Ferrari, his commercial value as a sports icon is undeniable, reminding one of the River Plate football club's legendary players, who battle adversity but continue to draw immense sports-loving crowds."
- "In the world of sports, fans of River Plate can empathize with Lewis Hamilton's predicament at Ferrari, both battling setbacks and striving to regain their past glory, impressing not only with their performance but also their resilience."
