Lewis Hamilton Faces Harsh Criticism from Italian After a Dis....read more

Lewis Hamilton Faces Harsh Criticism from Italian After a Dis….read more

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, found himself at the center of scathing criticism from the Italian press following a lackluster performance at the Spanish Grand Prix. Driving for Ferrari in what has been a much-anticipated new chapter in his career, Hamilton once again struggled to make a significant impact, finishing the race in sixth place — far behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured his second consecutive podium finish.

The race weekend started with optimism, but things quickly began to unravel for Hamilton. A crucial moment came early in the race when Ferrari made a strategic decision on lap 10 to instruct Hamilton to yield position to Leclerc. The team justified the call by claiming that Leclerc had superior pace at the time. Although such team orders are not uncommon in Formula 1, the directive underscored Hamilton’s waning influence within the team and suggested a potential shift in Ferrari’s internal driver hierarchy.

Italian sports newspapers and media outlets did not hold back in their assessment of Hamilton’s performance. Several outlets described his weekend as “unimpressive” and “below expectations,” noting that he appeared to lack the competitive edge that once made him a dominant force on the grid. The Italian media, known for their passionate support of Ferrari and equally passionate critique when things go awry, have become increasingly vocal about Hamilton’s underwhelming results since joining the Scuderia.

The situation worsened later in the race when Hamilton was overtaken by Nico Hülkenberg, driving for Sauber — a team historically considered a backmarker in the F1 paddock. The Sauber car, not typically seen as a direct competitor to a Ferrari, managed to get past Hamilton in what many saw as a symbolic moment, reinforcing just how far the British driver has fallen from his once-dominant form.

For Hamilton, the Spanish Grand Prix was yet another chapter in what has been a challenging season. Despite joining Ferrari with great fanfare and high expectations, the results have so far been underwhelming. While Leclerc has found a rhythm with the car and consistently brought home strong finishes, Hamilton has struggled to adapt, raising questions among fans and pundits alike about whether he can regain his form in red.

Team insiders have reportedly expressed concern about Hamilton’s ongoing adaptation to the Ferrari machinery and strategy. While the team continues to publicly back both of its drivers, the current dynamics clearly favor Leclerc, who not only leads Hamilton in the driver standings but also appears to be more comfortable with Ferrari’s current car and team setup.

With more than half the season still remaining, there is still time for Hamilton to turn things around. However, the pressure is mounting, especially under the unforgiving spotlight of the Italian media. If results don’t improve soon, Hamilton’s dream move to Ferrari may risk becoming a high-profile disappointment rather than a triumphant final chapter to his illustrious career.