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F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton issues devastating statement as….read more

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has spoken out about his ongoing struggles after another underwhelming performance with Ferrari during preparations for the Imola Grand Prix. The British driver, who made a high-profile move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, has expressed growing frustration as the challenges of adapting to his new team continue to mount.

Hamilton, who had hoped for a fresh chapter in his storied career with the iconic Italian team, has so far found little comfort. His performance during the pre-race activities at Imola fell below expectations, leaving him “devastated” and questioning the team’s current direction.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Hamilton reportedly said in a post-session interview. “You work so hard to get to this point, and when the results don’t reflect the effort, it’s incredibly tough. We’re not where we need to be yet, and that’s hard to accept.”

Despite Ferrari’s efforts to provide Hamilton with a competitive car, their struggles with consistency and pace have kept them behind front-runners like Red Bull and McLaren. The transition from Mercedes to Ferrari has clearly posed more difficulties than anticipated for the veteran driver, both in terms of car performance and team synergy.

As the F1 community turns its attention to the upcoming race at Imola, many are now questioning whether Ferrari can provide Hamilton with the tools he needs to compete for podiums—or if the 2025 season may become a transitional year with limited highlights for the 39-year-old star.

Meanwhile, tension appeared to rise within the Mercedes camp as well, with an interesting turn of events involving team principal Toto Wolff and drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. During preparations for the Grand Prix, Wolff was seen delivering a motivational talk to young Mercedes talent Kimi Antonelli, who has been gaining attention as a rising star in the sport at just 18 years old.

Antonelli, who has been heavily linked with a future Mercedes seat, particularly as speculation continues about the team’s long-term driver lineup, appeared to receive special attention from Wolff during the session. This did not go unnoticed by George Russell, who reportedly made a request to Wolff, possibly seeking clarification or reassurance about his own position in the team.

However, that request was promptly dismissed by the team boss, leading to speculation of internal tension or strategic re-prioritization within Mercedes. While Wolff has often praised Russell’s development and consistency, the increased spotlight on Antonelli may indicate the team is beginning to look ahead toward the future.

“It’s great to see young talent like Kimi being encouraged,” said one Mercedes insider. “But the dynamics in the garage are definitely shifting. George is still seen as a core driver for now, but the focus is clearly expanding.”

With the Imola Grand Prix drawing closer, the spotlight remains firmly on these shifting dynamics within two of Formula 1’s biggest teams. For Lewis Hamilton, the weekend offers another opportunity to try and turn things around and prove that his move to Ferrari was not in vain. For Mercedes, the handling of Russell and Antonelli may offer insights into their evolving strategy for the seasons ahead.

One thing is certain—between Hamilton’s candid admissions and the rising tension in the Mercedes camp, this year’s Imola Grand Prix is already proving to be a highly charged event even before the lights go out.

Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how the situation develops, as both Ferrari and Mercedes navigate through internal pressures and external expectations during one of the most storied weekends on the Formula 1 calendar.