Hamilton Calls First Ferrari Season a 'Nightmare' After Sao Paulo GP
Lewis Hamilton openly described his inaugural Ferrari season as a 'nightmare' following a disastrous Sao Paulo Grand Prix, which included an early retirement and a series of incidents. The seven-time world champion's struggles mirror Ferrari's broader challenges, as they've slipped to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, facing the prospect of a winless season. Hamilton remains determined to rebound, while team principal Frederic Vasseur highlighted the critical loss of championship points.
Lewis Hamilton has described his initial season with Ferrari as a 'nightmare,' especially after a 'weekend to forget' at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. This challenging period saw him retire for only the second time this year, following a dismal performance in both Sprint and Main Qualifying.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's candid remarks highlight the significant struggles Ferrari is facing, both in performance and reliability. As a seven-time world champion, his adaptation and the team's overall standing are critical indicators of their championship aspirations. His current predicament, coupled with Ferrari's drop to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, signals a tough fight ahead for the Scuderia to reclaim their competitive edge and avoid their first winless season since 2021.
The Details:
- Sao Paulo Struggles: Hamilton's weekend at Interlagos was fraught with issues, starting with eliminations in both Sprint and Main Qualifying. He began the race from 13th.
- Race Incidents: Early in the race, Hamilton made contact with Carlos Sainz, dropping him further back. Shortly after, he ran into Franco Colapinto, sustaining significant floor damage and receiving a five-second time penalty.
- Retirement: Ferrari ultimately retired Hamilton on Lap 39, marking a disappointing end to a difficult weekend.
- Pace Deficit: Throughout the season, Hamilton has often lacked raw pace compared to teammate Charles Leclerc, who qualified third in Sao Paulo before being caught in a separate incident.
- Team Performance: Ferrari has fallen to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, 36 points behind Mercedes, indicating a broader team struggle.
- Vasseur's Reaction: Team principal Frederic Vasseur lamented the 'tough weekend,' particularly Leclerc's collision, stating, 'We are paying the full price of the crash between Antonelli and Piastri.' He emphasized the critical loss of points in the championship fight.
Between the lines:
Hamilton's use of the word 'nightmare' is stark, reflecting not just the immediate race but a season-long battle with inconsistent results and a car that hasn't consistently delivered. His internal conflict between the 'dream' of driving for Ferrari and the 'nightmare' of their performance suggests deeper underlying issues within the team's operations or car development. Despite the setbacks, his vow to 'come back as strong as I can' shows his enduring commitment, but the pressure on Ferrari to provide him with a competitive car is mounting.
What's next:
The remaining three races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are crucial for Ferrari to avoid a winless season. The team must address their performance and reliability issues to give both Hamilton and Leclerc a chance to compete for victories and salvage some pride from a challenging year. Hamilton's resilience will be tested as he continues to work with the team to overcome these hurdles, with every point vital for their standing in the Constructors' Championship.