Ferrari is increasingly aware of the commercial importance of Lewis Hamilton despite his underwhelming results on the Formula 1 circuit since moving from Mercedes to the Scuderia. His lone sprint race victory in China has been overshadowed by a series of setbacks and continued difficulties as the season progresses.
Following a particularly candid and critical self-assessment after the Hungarian Grand Prix, speculation about Hamilton’s future has intensified. Veteran figures such as Bernie Ecclestone have advised him to consider retirement, while former driver Martin Brundle questioned how Hamilton could endure further seasons of hardship.
Yet, former F1 competitor and Le Mans winner Emmanuele Pirro has highlighted positives that Ferrari might build on. He emphasized the challenge Hamilton faces competing with Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s leading driver, who remains highly competitive.
“Finding someone faster than Charles Leclerc is not easy,”
—Emmanuele Pirro, Former F1 Driver and 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner
Pirro also noted Hamilton’s value beyond raw performance, mentioning his influence within the team, his composed demeanor, and especially his commercial appeal.
“Then there is the whole commercial discourse, of course…”
—Emmanuele Pirro, Former F1 Driver and 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner
Leclerc’s Dominance Highlights Hamilton’s Struggles
At the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, Leclerc clearly outperformed Hamilton by securing pole position and finishing fourth, which forced Hamilton to acknowledge that his challenges were not primarily related to the Ferrari SF-25 car itself.
“We are not seeing the best Hamilton, there is certainly room to straighten out the situation,”
—Emmanuele Pirro, Former F1 Driver and 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner
Pirro added that despite Hamilton’s age, a resurgence is possible, citing Fernando Alonso as an example of a driver who remains competitive well into his later years. He highlighted the importance of finding a comfort zone, both technically and psychologically—something Hamilton has struggled to achieve at Ferrari.
According to Pirro, Hamilton’s emotional response after the race in Hungary reveals a sensitive side behind his public image. The motivation to perform well, whether fighting for wins or solid finishes, fluctuates based on many factors, independent of past achievements.
“I’ll give you an example: I won five times at Le Mans, yet the following year I had the same motivation as the first one. The same goes for Lewis.”
—Emmanuele Pirro, Former F1 Driver and 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner
Despite holding seven world championships, the prospect of Hamilton securing an eighth title appears more uncertain than ever, as current results indicate a challenging road ahead.
Looking Forward to What Lies Ahead for Hamilton and Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton’s presence with Ferrari represents more than just his on-track results; his commercial value and ability to offer leadership behind the scenes remain important assets for the team. Ferrari’s recognition of this balance between performance and market influence will likely shape decisions moving forward, especially as Hamilton attempts to rediscover his form.
As the F1 season progresses, Hamilton’s capacity to adapt and regain confidence will be closely watched, both by fans and the wider racing community, with his legacy and Ferrari’s ambitions intertwined in this critical stage of his career.
