Breaking : Ferrari and Mercedes Disagree on Hamilton Decline… Read more
Ferrari and Mercedes Disagree on Hamilton Decline
Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has quickly become one of the most talked-about stories in Formula 1, but it has not unfolded in the seamless fashion that many fans and experts anticipated. The seven-time world champion’s highly publicised move from Mercedes to Ferrari was supposed to inject new life into his career. Instead, the British driver has faced a challenging adaptation period marked by morale-denting setbacks, prompting a public disagreement between Ferrari and Mercedes over the reasons behind his struggles.
Since leaving Mercedes, Hamilton has yet to deliver the kind of performances that once made him the dominant force of the sport. Ferrari expected an immediate boost both on and off the track by pairing Hamilton with Charles Leclerc, but the results have been mixed. The Scuderia has managed moments of competitiveness, yet Hamilton has found himself battling inconsistency, strategic misfortunes, and difficulties in extracting performance from his new machinery.
The decline has not gone unnoticed by his former team. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently suggested that Hamilton’s struggles are rooted in his driving style not aligning with Ferrari’s current car philosophy. According to Wolff, Hamilton thrived in Mercedes machinery designed around his precise handling preferences, and the transition to Ferrari’s very different characteristics has inevitably been difficult.
Ferrari, however, has been quick to push back against that interpretation. Team principal Fred Vasseur firmly rejected Wolff’s suggestion, stressing that Hamilton’s difficulties are not down to his driving style. “It would be far too simplistic to say Lewis is struggling because the car doesn’t suit him,” Vasseur said. “We are working on many areas as a team. We know the Ferrari package is competitive, but Formula 1 is about fine margins. To suggest this is only about driving style is misleading.”
The Frenchman also emphasised Hamilton’s value to the team, pointing to the experience, determination, and technical insight he brings to Maranello. “Lewis is already pushing us in the right direction,” Vasseur explained. “Of course, he wants to be winning from day one, but Ferrari’s project is about long-term progress as well as immediate results.”
For Hamilton himself, the early part of the season has been a test of patience and resilience. The 39-year-old has spoken candidly about his frustrations but has maintained that he is committed to helping Ferrari climb back to the top. “It’s a journey,” he said recently. “I didn’t expect it to be easy, and I’m here to work with the team to get stronger every weekend. We’ve shown glimpses of promise, but there’s more to come.”
While Mercedes and Ferrari may differ in their analysis, the reality is that Hamilton is facing one of the most challenging periods of his illustrious career. At a time when younger drivers such as Max Verstappen and Lando Norris continue to set the pace, the veteran finds himself in unfamiliar territory, chasing instead of leading.
What remains undeniable, however, is Hamilton’s determination. The story of his Ferrari switch is far from over, and both supporters and critics will be watching closely to see whether he can overcome these early struggles. For Ferrari, the ultimate goal is to transform Hamilton’s frustration into fuel for success, while for Mercedes, it is a reminder of how fragile performance can be in the ever-shifting landscape of Formula 1
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