Ferrari Vet Backs Hamilton to Overcome 'Tough Time' Amid Mercedes Porpoising Flashback

A former Ferrari insider has voiced support for Lewis Hamilton, stating his difficult first season with the Scuderia is a natural part of adjusting to a new team. The comments from ex-engineer Jock Clear draw a parallel to Michael Schumacher's journey, suggesting that building a championship-contending partnership at Maranello requires significant time and patience. This perspective emerges as George Russell recalls a separate, intense moment from his time alongside Hamilton at Mercedes, highlighting the brutal physical demands drivers face.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's move to Ferrari is one of the most significant in modern F1 history, and his early struggles are being scrutinized intensely. Clear's comments provide crucial context, tempering immediate expectations while reinforcing the long-term belief in Hamilton's potential for success. It also serves as a stark reminder of the physical toll the sport can take on its competitors, a theme that resonated throughout the last regulation cycle.

The details:

• Hamilton's Adjustment Period: Jock Clear, a former senior performance engineer at Ferrari, believes Hamilton needs time to adapt. He referenced the multi-year process it took for Michael Schumacher to build his dominant era with the team from 1996, suggesting a similar timeline may be needed for Hamilton to challenge for titles.
• Mercedes' 'Dangerous' Request: George Russell revealed an incident from the 2022 season where he and Hamilton wanted to demonstrate the violent effects of porpoising to Mercedes' senior designers.
  • The drivers planned to use a simulation of the car's brutal behavior in Baku to show the physical impact on their bodies.
  • The request was ultimately blocked by the team's health and safety officers, who deemed the demonstration "too dangerous," underscoring the severity of the bouncing issue that plagued several teams that year.

The big picture:

While the focus is on top drivers, teams are also making strategic moves for the future. Ford has confirmed its commitment to Red Bull Powertrains is not dependent on Max Verstappen staying with the team, signaling a long-term partnership regardless of driver lineups. Meanwhile, Alpine is resetting its expectations under new managing director Steve Nielsen, abandoning the rigid "100-race plan" for wins and championships after a difficult 2025 season. The team is now opting for a more flexible approach as F1 prepares to enter a new regulatory era in 2026.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Hamilton and Ferrari as they work to translate their high-profile partnership into on-track results. The 2026 season, with its new technical regulations, represents a fresh start and a critical test for both the Scuderia and other teams like Alpine, who are banking on a major reset to climb the grid. The coming pre-season testing and early races will be the first real indicator of whether Hamilton can begin to mirror Schumacher's legendary success at Maranello.