Ferrari to launch Lewis Hamilton investigation after d...

Ferrari to launch Lewis Hamilton investigation after d… read more

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has confirmed the team will launch an internal investigation into Lewis Hamilton’s underwhelming performance at the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite out-qualifying teammate Charles Leclerc during Saturday’s session, Hamilton endured what he described as a “terrible” weekend overall, eventually finishing sixth in the race.

The seven-time world champion started the race with promise but quickly ran into difficulties. By lap 10, Hamilton was instructed to let the quicker Leclerc pass, highlighting an evident struggle for pace. While Leclerc went on to secure a podium finish, Hamilton slipped further down the order and was overtaken by Nico Hulkenberg during the safety car restart. This late-race incident encapsulated the broader issues the Brit faced throughout the event.

Reflecting on the team’s overall performance, Vasseur remained optimistic about Ferrari’s recent form, saying, “We’ve had three strong weekends in Imola, Monaco, and now Barcelona. That puts us back in the fight for second in the constructors’ standings.” However, he acknowledged Hamilton’s dip in form during the Spanish race, particularly in the final stint. “The pace was okay, except for the last stint. I’m not sure what happened there—we’ll need to analyze it. There was a major drop in performance late on.”

Hamilton offered little explanation after the race, labeling it the “worst race” he’s experienced in terms of car balance. He couldn’t pinpoint a specific cause for the lack of pace. Theories have emerged regarding his dip in form relative to Leclerc this season, with former teammate and 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg suggesting Hamilton’s age could be a factor. Now 40, Hamilton remains competitive, but inconsistencies like those in Barcelona have raised questions.

Vasseur later revealed to Sky Sports that Hamilton’s car had encountered a problem before the safety car period, though he chose not to disclose specific details. The nature of the issue remains unclear, adding to the mystery surrounding Hamilton’s performance drop.

Heading into the brief break before the next race, Hamilton trails Leclerc by 23 points in the drivers’ championship. While Ferrari have shown progress as a team, Hamilton’s struggles in Spain have become a point of concern. The team now faces the challenge of diagnosing the issue to ensure both drivers remain competitive in the tightly contested season ahead.