F1 champion tells Lewis Hamilton he has 'attitude' problem ahead

F1 champion tells Lewis Hamilton he has ‘attitude’ problem ahead of Ferrari ….read more

Lewis Hamilton is poised to make a significant career change by leaving Mercedes for Ferrari next season, aiming to secure an unprecedented eighth Formula 1 championship. However, former champion Jacques Villeneuve has expressed reservations about Hamilton’s current mindset and attitude as he prepares for this transition.

Villeneuve believes Hamilton is “not in a good place” mentally, especially after his recent performance at the United States Grand Prix, where he crashed out of the race. This incident, Villeneuve suggests, reflects a deeper issue with Hamilton’s focus and confidence. He pointed out that Hamilton seems preoccupied with his own struggles rather than looking forward to his new opportunity with Ferrari.

In an interview with Canada Casino, Villeneuve noted that Hamilton’s state of mind is concerning. He remarked, “I don’t think Lewis is thinking about Ferrari. He is thinking about himself and how awful it is going for him.” This lack of focus, Villeneuve argues, hampers Hamilton’s driving performance. He highlighted that despite having three weeks off to regroup, Hamilton returned to the track without any noticeable improvement in his demeanor or performance.

Villeneuve emphasized the importance of Hamilton recalibrating his mindset before joining Ferrari, as the team has a reputation for being challenging and demanding. He remarked that Hamilton needs to adopt a winning attitude again, as his current body language does not resemble that of a champion. “He is not the killer winner we have seen in the past,” Villeneuve stated, urging Hamilton to reconnect with his competitive spirit.

After the Texas race, Hamilton reflected on his crash, noting that he had a strong start but lost control of the car due to bouncing issues. He expressed frustration at the incident, stating, “I have never spun in a race before, not that I remember at least.” Hamilton assured that his crash wasn’t due to a lack of focus, attributing it instead to unfortunate circumstances.

As Hamilton prepares for the Ferrari move, he faces not only the challenge of adapting to a new team but also the necessity of overcoming his current mental hurdles. Villeneuve’s critique highlights the complexities of transitioning between teams in Formula 1, where both mental resilience and technical performance are crucial.

In summary, while Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari presents an exciting opportunity to chase his eighth title, he must first address the underlying issues affecting his performance. Villeneuve’s comments serve as a reminder that a champion’s mindset is just as important as their driving skill, particularly in a high-pressure environment like Formula 1.