Lewis Hamilton has faced harsh criticism from the Italian press following his underwhelming finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he ended the race in sixth place while his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc secured a podium. Hamilton’s struggles in Barcelona have drawn attention amid increasing pressures within Ferrari and growing questions about his form in the 2025 season.
Italian Media Highlights Hamilton’s Struggles in Barcelona
At the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton was instructed to let Leclerc pass on lap 10, a moment regarded as a setback by observers. His race deteriorated further when he was overtaken by Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, a driver from what had been the slowest team on the grid, adding to the disappointment. After the race, Hamilton described it as the worst he has ever experienced, emphasizing his frustration.
The Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport gave Hamilton a harsh review, assigning him a 5.5 out of 10 for the weekend. Their driver rating criticized the moment he lost ground to a Sauber, calling the performance “not nice” and marking it as forgettable despite a promising start.
Not an unforgettable race. He starts well, but after a few laps has to give the position to the faster Leclerc, always a snub. Then a Sauber passes him at the end. Not nice,
—La Gazzetta dello Sport
In stark contrast, Leclerc was praised as the resilient leader of Ferrari’s charge, earning a 7.5 score and compliments for his aggressive drive that secured a podium behind two McLarens.
A fighter. He made up for a bad qualifying with an attacking race, ending with a well-deserved podium behind the McLarens. He is the face of Ferrari that does not give up,
—La Gazzetta dello Sport
Hamilton’s Challenges Deepen as Leclerc Gains Momentum
The Italian media’s identification of Leclerc as the “face of Ferrari” underscores the widening gap between the teammates. This public favor towards Leclerc adds pressure on Hamilton, who appeared noticeably disheartened during his post-race interview.
I just had a really bad day and I’ve got nothing to say. It was a difficult day, there’s nothing else to add to it, it’s terrible,
—Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton has finished ahead of Leclerc only once this season, at Imola, although he remains Ferrari’s sole race winner in 2025 thanks to his sprint victory in China. Despite this, Leclerc’s growing confidence in the SF-25 car has highlighted Hamilton’s inconsistencies, contributing to speculation that the Italian fanbase is beginning to turn against the seven-time world champion.
Ongoing Fallout and Future Prospects
Hamilton’s poor showing in Barcelona and the critical response from the Italian press complicate his standing at Ferrari. With tensions rising, the season’s upcoming races will be critical for Hamilton to regain form and favor. Meanwhile, the team’s internal dynamics and ongoing performance will continue to be scrutinized by fans and analysts alike.
