Lewis Hamilton’s previous competitor has criticized Ferrari as disorganized but maintains that the Formula One star’s first season with the Italian team has not been as catastrophic as it may seem. Since joining Ferrari earlier this year, Hamilton’s aspirations of racing in Ferrari red have faced significant challenges.
Over the past ten months at Ferrari, the 40-year-old has shown signs of disappointment. Hamilton, in an unusual move, labeled himself as “useless,” had disagreements with his race engineer, and failed to achieve a single podium finish in a Grand Prix, setting a record as the longest-serving Ferrari driver without a podium.
The recent Mexican Grand Prix exemplified the difficulties Hamilton has encountered this year. Despite securing third place in qualifying, an incident with Max Verstappen forced Hamilton off the track and resulted in a 10-second time penalty, leading to an eighth-place finish.
Currently, Hamilton ranks sixth in the drivers’ championship, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by 64 points. Nonetheless, former F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez believes that Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari should be seen in a broader context.
Gutierrez, who competed against Hamilton while driving for Sauber and Haas and served as Ferrari’s test and reserve driver in 2015 before joining Mercedes in 2018, expressed optimism for Hamilton’s future performance. Gutierrez noted that adapting to an Italian team like Ferrari presents unique challenges due to the passionate yet chaotic environment.
Despite the setbacks, Gutierrez believes that Hamilton’s experiences this year can be valuable for his growth, anticipating a better showing in the upcoming season. The upcoming regulation changes in 2026 could potentially benefit Hamilton, providing a fresh start for all drivers.
While the relationship between Gutierrez and Hamilton was strained in the past, with Gutierrez criticizing Hamilton for his conduct during the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2016, Gutierrez now recognizes the importance of setting a positive example for others in the sport.
Formula 1 enthusiasts can now enjoy live coverage of every practice, qualifying session, and race with Sky’s new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering savings and access to a wide range of TV channels, Netflix, and Discovery+.