Lewis Hamilton openly expressed the challenges he faces adjusting to his new Ferrari Formula One car, likening the experience to dancing with a partner who lacks any sense of rhythm. The British driver secured fifth place in the qualifying session for the Canadian Grand Prix held in Montreal, despite Ferrari showing promising pace during the final practice. Although Hamilton’s best result this season has been a fourth place at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, he has yet to achieve a podium since his switch from Mercedes.
Ongoing Struggles Impact Hamilton’s Race Performance and Team Dynamics
Hamilton identified adapting to Ferrari’s car as a significant challenge, calling one of his recent races in Spain his worst in terms of vehicle balance. These difficulties persisted at the Canadian Grand Prix, where teammate Charles Leclerc had a setback after crashing during Friday’s first practice, which compromised his qualifying position starting from eighth. Speaking to Canal+, Hamilton vividly described his frustration, stating,
This car… it’s like someone that can’t dance,
and added,
Someone that has no rhythm, you know? Trying to get someone that doesn’t have rhythm to have rhythm, it’s very, very difficult. That’s how it feels with this car.
Ferrari’s Championship Standing and Hamilton’s Determined Outlook
Despite Hamilton’s adaptation issues, Ferrari currently holds second place in the constructors‘ championship, although they are 197 points behind McLaren. In the drivers‘ championship, Hamilton occupies sixth place with 71 points, trailing Leclerc by 23 points. At 41 years old, Hamilton remains focused and positive about his potential to improve his results. He expressed confidence in his upcoming race performance, saying,
I’ll be giving it everything to fight for a podium,
and emphasized,
With the right strategy and strong race pace, I think it’s possible. We’re staying hopeful, but we know it’s not going to be easy.
Transition to Ferrari Marks a Tough Phase in Hamilton’s Career
The switch from Mercedes to Ferrari has presented Hamilton with a steep learning curve as he acclimates to new team dynamics and car characteristics. Though the podium remains out of reach so far this season, Hamilton continues to push for improvements and remains committed to extracting the best from his car. His persistence signals that he is determined to close the gap with leading drivers and secure better finishes in the remaining races of the season.
