Villeneuve Questions Hamilton’s Attitude Ahead of Ferrari Move
Villeneuve Questions Hamilton’s Attitude Ahead of Ferrari Move
Lewis Hamilton is set to leave Mercedes after 11 years and join Ferrari next season, aiming to claim a record-breaking eighth Formula 1 world title. However, former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has expressed concerns about Hamilton’s current mindset and attitude, which he believes could affect the Brit’s performance at Ferrari.
Villeneuve recently shared his thoughts in an interview with Canada Casino, suggesting that Hamilton may not be in the right mental state for the move. “I don’t think Lewis is thinking about Ferrari,” Villeneuve said. “He’s thinking about himself and how things have been going badly for him lately.”
Villeneuve’s comments come shortly after Hamilton’s crash at the United States Grand Prix, where he lost control of his car and spun out early in the race. The incident marked a rare misstep for the seven-time champion, who admitted after the race that such mistakes are extremely uncommon for him. “That was the first time he’s really gone off in a race,” Villeneuve added. “He’s not in a good place right now, and that’s not helping his driving.”
Hamilton himself reflected on the crash, saying: “I had a great start, made my way up to 12th, and at that point, I wasn’t pushing hard—just managing the tyres. But the car started bouncing, and I lost the rear, which caused the spin. I can’t recall the last time I spun in a race, if ever, and it’s definitely frustrating.” He emphasized that the crash wasn’t due to a lack of focus but rather bad luck on the day.
Villeneuve believes that Hamilton needs to reset his mindset quickly, especially with his move to Ferrari looming. “He’s had three weeks off but didn’t come back any better,” Villeneuve said. “I don’t know what’s going on in his head, but his body language isn’t that of a race winner anymore. He doesn’t seem to have the same killer instinct we’ve seen from him in the past.”
The Canadian former champion went on to warn Hamilton about the challenges of joining Ferrari. “Ferrari is not an easy team to be a part of,” Villeneuve explained. “While he’ll be happy to drive a better car than Mercedes, it’s still a tough environment. If he wants to succeed, he needs to get back to his old form and attitude.”
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is one of the most anticipated stories in Formula 1, as he looks to make history by breaking Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles. Although Ferrari appears to have a more competitive car than Mercedes at the moment, Villeneuve believes that Hamilton’s success will depend heavily on his mental preparation and whether he can regain his sharpness.
The switch to Ferrari also brings new pressures, as the Italian team is known for its demanding culture. For Hamilton, overcoming his recent struggles and returning to his peak form will be critical if he hopes to lead Ferrari back to championship glory.
Despite his recent frustrations, Hamilton remains optimistic about the future, though Villeneuve’s remarks highlight the need for him to refocus before starting this new chapter. All eyes will be on Hamilton next season to see if the move to Ferrari can reignite his dominance on the track.
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