Lewis Hamilton reveals he misjudged Ferrari challenge

IMOLA – Lewis Hamilton admitted on May 15 that he had underestimated how difficult it would be for him to adapt to being at Ferrari after 12 years with Mercedes.

The 40-year-old seven-time Formula One world champion won six of his championships with the Silver Arrows before his sensational exit in 2024.

“I anticipated it would be very tough because I’ve joined a team before and I came in with a really open mind,” he admitted at Imola, ahead of this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.

“I just didn’t know how tough it was going to be. I knew it was going to be challenging and it’s as challenging as it could ever be on all fronts.”

After six races this season, he is still seeking a first podium finish in a grand prix and is seventh in the drivers’ title race behind Kimi Antonelli, the Italian teenager who replaced him at Mercedes.

Hamilton cut a low-key figure on arrival in the paddock at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the team’s home circuit, and conceded that “there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done” if he is to revive his form.

“The championship?” he said.

“There’s still a long, long way to go. From all my years of experience, when you’re over 100 points behind at this point in the season, with a car that’s up against a car (McLaren) that is dominant, you have to assume that you’re not necessarily fighting for a championship win.

“But things can turn around.”

The Briton trails series leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren by 90 points.

Ferrari plan to add an upgrade package to their car this weekend with a major one expected in Spain in two weeks’ time, but Hamilton said he is unsure of the value or potential.

“At the moment, we don’t know, but we want to get closer and we can’t shut the door on any ideas. We have to keep our eyes and our heads up, and stay vigilant. We have to push with the expectation and goal of winning, finding the tenths to turn things around. You have to believe it,” he said.

Teammate Charles Leclerc withdrew from his media duties on May 15 due to illness.

In a statement, Ferrari confirmed that the Monegasque driver was out of sorts but was expected to be fit this weekend, adding: “Charles is feeling unwell and will not be coming to the track today. He will rest and focus on recovering.”

Leclerc’s absence added to the Italian team’s woes ahead of their first home race of the season.

Ferrari, with marquee-signing Hamilton struggling to shine, are already 152 points adrift of leaders McLaren in the constructors’ championship after finishing last season only 14 points behind them.

After six races, they have registered only one podium finish – Leclerc taking third place at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April – and one sprint victory, by Hamilton in China.

Leclerc is in his seventh year with Ferrari after joining from Sauber in 2019 and is widely thought to be one of the fastest Formula One drivers, but without a car to match his talents.

He has won eight grands prix with Ferrari and claimed 44 podium finishes and 26 pole positions, but he was unable to overcome the former dominance of four-time champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull.

In other news, Hamilton’s father Anthony is set for an official role at Formula One’s governing body after advising International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Mohammed Ben Sulayem on young driver development, it emerged on May 15.

The details were first reported by the Times newspaper and confirmed as correct by a spokesperson for the FIA.

The FIA’s Young Driver Development Pathway, relating to grassroots development and the protection of young drivers from unethical managers or agents, is set to be launched at the governing body’s conference in Macau in June.
AFP, REUTERS