Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari brought high hopes, but reality paints a different picture.
- Hamilton, after a rocky start, finds himself overshadowed by teammate Charles Leclerc.
- Dutch F1 expert Tim Coronel sees Hamilton as the clear number two at Ferrari.
- Hamilton’s past glories can’t hide his current struggles in a challenging car.
- Despite challenges, Ferrari asserts both drivers have equal status, though evidence suggests otherwise.
Lewis Hamilton’s leap to Ferrari was like a bolt from the blue for the racing world, happening just ahead of the 2024 season. After some tough times at Mercedes, where regulatory changes left him at odds, hopes were pinned on a fresh start with Ferrari’s SF-25. But, as things stand, the anticipated turnaround hasn’t been realized. Both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are grappling with a car that seems to have a mind of its own. In official races, only Leclerc has managed to climb the podium, leaving Hamilton still searching for that elusive moment of triumph.
Tim Coronel, a noted Dutch Formula 1 pundit, did not mince words on RacingNews365’s podcast when discussing Ferrari’s internal dynamics. When asked if Hamilton should be seen as the number two driver, Coronel’s response was a resounding ‘yes.’ According to him, every statistic backs up this claim. From qualifications to races, it’s apparent. Coronel lamented, ‘It’s very simple. All the figures point to it.’ While he holds admiration for Hamilton’s past rivalry with Max Verstappen, he noted that fandom alone isn’t enough to sustain a career at this level.
Coronel recalled the fleeting hope after Hamilton’s sprint win in China, an event quickly overshadowed by Ferrari’s disqualification in the Grand Prix. Though Charles Leclerc has faced his share of difficulties with the SF-25, he has managed podium finishes, which Coronel believes cements his status as the team’s leading light. ‘I think he’s slumping a bit,’ Coronel commented on Hamilton’s current form, expressing a sentiment likely felt by many who have watched Hamilton’s illustrious career.
Despite the analysis and speculation, Ferrari maintains that both Hamilton and Leclerc have equal opportunities. Team principal Fred Vasseur insists on this parity, but the situation on the ground presents a contrasting image. The challenges faced by Hamilton in adapting to the new car are as much a part of Ferrari’s engineering woes as they are individual battles. While Leclerc finds ways to shine occasionally, Hamilton’s fans are left hoping for a breakthrough that might turn his season around.
For Lewis Hamilton, what was hoped to be a renaissance at Ferrari remains a challenging quest for equilibrium and success.
