Yesterday at 08:20
Lewis Hamilton has been warned of the "real confrontation" with
Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc that lies ahead following the
troubled start to his time with the Scuderia. Hamilton joined
Ferrari to great fanfare at the start of the year after leaving
Mercedes, a team with whom he won six of his seven F1 drivers'
titles, and after a collaboration that had lasted over two decades.
Aside from a sprint victory in China at the second race weekend of
the campaign, Hamilton has predominantly struggled. The 40-year-old
has yet to secure a grand prix podium, in contrast to the five from
Leclerc. For the most part, 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve can
appreciate to a certain extent the difficulties Hamilton is
encountering, although was stunned to hear him berate himself so
strongly after qualifying last weekend for the Hungarian Grand
Prix, describing himself as "useless", and that Ferrari should get
another driver. "Lewis has had completely different experiences in
Formula 1 and has always worked with the English and German methods
in the past. Now he realises how different everything is at
Ferrari," said Villeneuve, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport. "It's
certainly surprising to see him so demoralised. There always seems
to be some confusion at Ferrari about decisions and communication,
even over the radio, and that doesn't help his adaptation."
Hamilton 'undoubtedly disappointing' The past weekend in Budapest
was Hamilton's worst of the season to date as he started and
finished 12th around a track on which he holds the record for most
wins at a single circuit with eight. In fairness, with this being
Hamilton's first season with Ferrari and Leclerc's seventh, it was
always going to be a tough ask for the Briton to match the
Monégasque, given his understanding and knowledge of the team.
Hamilton has also struggled with the ground-effect cars since their
introduction in 2022. With new power units and regulations for next
season, he looks set to go into it on more of a level playing
field. Villeneuve, though, feels Hamilton faces one of the toughest
tests of his career in 2026. "Next year will be the real
confrontation with Leclerc," said Villeneuve. "This car was not
designed for Hamilton, and with the new regulations, everything
will be turned upside down again in 2026. "However, there was a lot
of attention and expectation surrounding his arrival, and there is
no denying that the initial period has been undoubtedly
disappointing."
