Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari struggles have intensified, as the seven-time World Champion has not reached a podium finish in his first ten races with the Scuderia. Despite winning a lights-to-flag Sprint race, his best Sunday result remains a disappointing fourth place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Currently sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, Hamilton trails leader Oscar Piastri by 119 points, raising concerns about his performance and future with Ferrari.
Challenges Highlighted by Former Driver Robert Doornbos
Ex-Formula 1 racer Robert Doornbos sympathizes with Hamilton’s current difficulties, relating them to his own period without podium finishes. Doornbos noted that this is a rare slump for Hamilton, who has consistently been successful throughout his career. He criticized Ferrari’s ongoing struggles to equip Hamilton with a competitive car, pointing to the team’s drastic and disruptive changes that have yet to improve results.
Doornbos also emphasized the difference in team dynamics compared to Ferrari’s successful era under Michael Schumacher, noting the absence of key English personnel. He identified Hamilton as the only prominent English figure in the team, saying the driver has been not fast enough to lead Ferrari to victories this season.
Communication Breakdown Between Hamilton and Race Engineer
The relationship between Hamilton and his race engineer Riccardo Adami has deteriorated, negatively impacting on-track performance. Doornbos described their communication as terrible, highlighting a lack of harmony that has contributed to Hamilton’s struggles throughout the season. This communication issue adds further pressure as the mid-season approaches, compounding the difficulties faced by the driver.
Uncertain Outlook for Hamilton at Ferrari
With the season progressing, Hamilton is confronting an unprecedented period of adversity at Ferrari, casting doubt on his ability to reverse his fortunes. The combination of underwhelming results, team challenges, and strained communication raises questions about whether he can regain his form and position within the Drivers’ Championship. The outcome of the coming races will be critical in determining Hamilton’s trajectory with Ferrari in the remainder of the season.
