Lewis Hamilton Calls Ferrari Struggles a 'Nightmare'
Lewis Hamilton has expressed his profound frustration with Ferrari's recent performance, labeling his experience a "nightmare" after a challenging São Paulo Grand Prix weekend. The seven-time F1 champion highlighted the stark contrast between his dream of driving for the team and the disappointing results, including two retirements since the summer break. Despite the ongoing struggles, Hamilton remains determined to work with his team and improve, looking ahead to the upcoming races.
Lewis Hamilton has openly described his recent struggles with Ferrari as a "nightmare," following a disastrous São Paulo Grand Prix weekend. The seven-time F1 champion endured a series of setbacks, failing to reach the top-10 in qualifying for both the sprint and the main race, ultimately retiring from the Grand Prix after an early incident.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's candid remarks highlight the significant challenges Ferrari is facing, particularly as the season progresses. As a multiple world champion, his struggle to extract performance underscores deeper issues within the team, raising questions about their competitiveness and future prospects. His comments are a rare glimpse into the frustration felt by a driver of his caliber, who is accustomed to fighting at the front.
The details:
- São Paulo Woes: Hamilton started 13th at Interlagos but dropped to 18th after a first-corner skirmish with Carlos Sainz. He then clipped Franco Colapinto's Alpine, damaging his front wing and sustaining floor damage, forcing his retirement mid-race.
- Post-Summer Slump: Since the summer break, Hamilton has scored only 39 points across seven race weekends, with retirements in the Netherlands and Brazil bookending this difficult period.
- Emotional Toll: Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton stated, "This is a nightmare I've been living in for a while. The flip between the dream of driving for this amazing team, and then the nightmare results that we've had, the ups and downs. It's challenging."
What's next:
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains resolute, vowing to bounce back. He emphasized his commitment to the team and his determination to improve in the upcoming races.
- Vegas Recovery: Hamilton aims to "come back as hard and as strong as I can at the next race [in Las Vegas] and try to recover."
- Team Focus: His resolve to continue working with the team underscores the collective effort required to overcome these challenges and find a path back to competitive form. The pressure will be on Ferrari to provide a more stable and performing package in the remaining races and heading into the next season.