Ex-Ferrari man shares verdict on Lewis Hamilton’s first 12 months with the Scuderia and expects main progress in 2026
Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of claiming his first podium end with Scuderia Ferrari have been as soon as once more dashed on the Mexico City Grand Prix, the place a ten-second penalty erased his early progress and ended his possibilities of a top-three end result. Regardless of exhibiting robust tempo at first, the seven-time Components 1 world champion left the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez empty-handed after a controversial penalty determination by the FIA stewards.
Lewis Hamilton, who certified in third place, appeared to have real podium potential through the opening laps of the race. His Ferrari SF-25 seemed aggressive, and lots of followers believed that this might lastly be the weekend when the British driver secured his first podium within the well-known pink automobile. Nonetheless, an incident involving Max Verstappen through the early phases of the Grand Prix modified all the things. The race stewards deemed that Lewis Hamilton had didn’t correctly comply with the race director’s directions after the tussle, issuing a ten-second time penalty that in the end dropped him a number of locations down the order following the pit cease part.
The 2025 Components 1 season was anticipated to mark a contemporary chapter in Lewis Hamilton’s illustrious profession, however his debut 12 months with Ferrari has not lived as much as the expectations that surrounded his high-profile transfer from Mercedes. Whereas there have been flashes of brilliance, the marketing campaign has largely been characterised by inconsistency and frustration, leaving many followers questioning whether or not the partnership will yield the success either side anticipated.
Esteban Gutiérrez defends Hamilton’s Ferrari debut season
Regardless of the blended outcomes, former Ferrari reserve driver Esteban Gutiérrez supplied a extra optimistic evaluation of Hamilton’s season, suggesting that the general image will not be as adverse because it seems. Talking on the F1 Nation podcast, the Mexican driver defined that the Briton’s efficiency should be seen by means of the lens of adaptation — each to the SF-25 and to Ferrari’s distinctive group tradition.
Gutiérrez famous that Lewis Hamilton appeared noticeably extra snug with the automobile through the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, hinting that the British driver is slowly discovering his rhythm throughout the Maranello-based squad. He additionally identified that transitioning from an English organisation like Mercedes to an Italian group reminiscent of Ferrari entails vital cultural changes. Based on Gutiérrez, Ferrari operates with deep ardour and emotion, which might make the surroundings each inspiring and sophisticated — a spot he described as a “well-organised chaos.”
The Mexican driver emphasised that each racer goals of driving for Ferrari, but the problem of succeeding with the legendary group is way larger than with another outfit on the grid. He defined that the eagerness inside Ferrari could be a double-edged sword: it drives excellence however may create immense strain. Gutiérrez argued that many nice champions who’ve joined Ferrari after successful elsewhere have struggled to copy their earlier success, because the group’s inner dynamics and expectations current a novel check.
From this attitude, Gutiérrez believes Lewis Hamilton’s first 12 months at Ferrari has been extra productive than it could seem within the standings. He steered that this season must be seen as a interval of transition — one that would permit Lewis Hamilton to construct the inspiration for stronger ends in 2026. The previous F1 driver expressed confidence that the British star’s expertise and psychological resilience would allow him to take a major step ahead subsequent 12 months as soon as he and the group change into extra synchronised.
Controversy over FIA penalty consistency reignites fan frustration
The Mexican Grand Prix additionally reignited ongoing debates in regards to the FIA’s consistency in imposing penalties. Lewis Hamilton’s sanction was simply certainly one of a number of controversial moments through the race, as a number of drivers have been seen going off observe and gaining a bonus with out going through any penalties. Followers have been fast to focus on the obvious double requirements, significantly within the case of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, who each ran vast at Flip 1 with out receiving any penalty.
Whereas Lewis Hamilton’s ten-second penalty drastically affected his last end result, Verstappen and Leclerc escaped unpunished after slicing by means of the grass on the first nook — incidents that didn’t end in any lack of place. This inconsistency sparked anger amongst Components 1 supporters, a lot of whom took to social media to demand clearer and fairer race regulation from the FIA. The dearth of uniform decision-making has change into a rising concern all through the 2025 season, significantly because the championship battles intensify.
George Russell additionally addressed the state of affairs previous to the race weekend, calling for structural adjustments to the circuit format to assist stop such incidents. The British driver highlighted the difficulties posed by the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez’s first nook, explaining that the present run-off space permits drivers to chop by means of with out vital time loss. He steered {that a} redesigned chicane might introduce a pure deterrent and guarantee fairer racing circumstances in future editions of the Mexican Grand Prix.
Components 1 followers voiced their frustration at what they understand as selective enforcement of observe limits, with some arguing that Verstappen acquired preferential therapy in comparison with Hamilton. The broader dialog has as soon as once more raised questions on how the FIA defines “gaining a bonus” and whether or not penalties are being utilized persistently throughout all drivers and groups.
Hamilton and Ferrari look forward to redemption
Regardless of the Mexico setback, there stays optimism throughout the Ferrari camp that Lewis Hamilton will quickly obtain his first podium end in pink. The seven-time world champion has proven glimpses of his trademark racecraft and dedication, and lots of imagine that when Ferrari absolutely unlocks the potential of the SF-25, podiums — and maybe even race victories — will comply with.
For Hamilton, the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari was by no means going to be a easy one. Adapting to a brand new surroundings, engineering philosophy, and group tradition requires time. As Esteban Gutiérrez noticed, success at Ferrari carries a distinct weight — one which calls for persistence, belief, and the flexibility to thrive below immense strain. Whether or not 2025 ends and not using a podium or not, the season might effectively function the essential basis for what might be a far stronger 2026 marketing campaign for each the Briton and the Scuderia.
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