F1 NEWS: Hero to zero’ – Jeremy Clarkson responds to Lewis Ham

Jeremy Clarkson Baffled by Lewis Hamilton’s ‘Hero to Zero’ Weekend After Chinese GP Disqualification

Celebrity F1 enthusiast Jeremy Clarkson has voiced his confusion over Lewis Hamilton’s weekend performance at the Chinese Grand Prix, stating that it made no sense for Hamilton to go from “hero to zero” within such a short time span. The Ferrari driver had experienced a high at the start of the weekend, securing a victory in the sprint race, only for things to take a drastic turn when he was disqualified after the main race.

Hamilton, who recently joined Ferrari, claimed his first win for the team in Shanghai during the sprint race, converting his pole position into a dominant victory. This marked a significant achievement for the seven-time World Champion, as it was only his third win since the beginning of the 2022 season. However, his weekend quickly deteriorated from that point.

Hamilton and Leclerc’s Misfortunes

Despite his success in the sprint, Hamilton’s performance dropped dramatically in the main race. Both he and his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, struggled in qualifying, managing only fifth and sixth places on the grid, respectively. The duo’s troubles didn’t end there, as they collided at the first corner of the race, with Leclerc showing better pace despite sustaining front-wing damage. This led to Hamilton suggesting over the team radio that Ferrari should consider swapping their positions.

Hamilton and Leclerc crossed the finish line in fifth and sixth positions, but their fortunes took a further hit when both drivers were disqualified after the race. Leclerc’s car was found to be underweight, while Hamilton’s Ferrari SF-25 suffered from excessive skid block wear. This marked Hamilton’s second disqualification in 18 months for the same issue, with the previous incident occurring during the 2023 United States Grand Prix.

Clarkson Questions Ferrari’s Decline

Writing in his column for The Sun, Clarkson expressed his bewilderment at how Ferrari and Hamilton could go from being “quick” during the sprint race to “useless” in the main race. He described Ferrari as more than just a team in Formula 1, referring to it as the “heart and soul” of the sport. Clarkson emphasized the importance of Ferrari performing well, especially with Hamilton as their new star driver.

Reflecting on Hamilton’s impressive start to the weekend, Clarkson said: “It was crucial then that the team’s new boy, Lewis Hamilton, came out of the traps like he’d been fired from a gun.” He continued, praising Hamilton’s sprint race win: “For the sprint race in Shanghai, the elder statesman took pole position and then cruised away from the pack to win the race as well.”

However, Clarkson expressed confusion about the drastic change in Hamilton’s performance. “What’s interesting, and troubling, is that a few hours later, Lewis could only qualify for the main event in fifth. And in the race itself, he was so slow he let his team-mate overtake. And then he was disqualified. How is that possible? It makes no sense.”

Clarkson’s Previous Criticism of Hamilton

Clarkson’s latest remarks come after he previously questioned Hamilton’s motivation for joining Ferrari. He speculated that Hamilton, now 40, might have signed with Ferrari as a way to experience the legendary team before retiring, suggesting that the driver may be aware his best years are behind him. Clarkson also pointed out the challenge Hamilton faces in beating his teammate Leclerc, who is highly regarded for his speed and familiarity with the team.

The television presenter mused that Hamilton may have joined Ferrari for reasons beyond racing. “What I do know is he’ll have his work cut out to beat his team-mate Charles Leclerc, who speaks Italian, knows the team, and is regarded by many to be the fastest driver of them all,” he wrote.

While Clarkson wishes Hamilton well in his Ferrari journey, he remains puzzled by how quickly things unraveled for the driver in Shanghai, leaving him to question whether Hamilton’s prime racing days are truly behind him.