Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari Struggles Defended After Brazil GP 'Nightmare'

Lewis Hamilton's disastrous São Paulo Grand Prix, culminating in a retirement and the Briton describing his current struggles as a "nightmare," has sparked debate, with Jamie Chadwick defending his performance. The seven-time world champion's move to Ferrari was not for midfield battles, she asserts, highlighting the growing frustration within the Prancing Horse camp.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's performance is crucial, not just for his legacy but for Ferrari's ambitions. His high-profile move was intended to elevate the team, and continuous struggles undermine both his reputation and the Scuderia's title aspirations. The ongoing challenges raise questions about Ferrari's ability to provide a championship-winning car and whether Hamilton can turn the tide in what is meant to be a transformative partnership.

The details:

• São Paulo GP struggles: Hamilton failed to qualify in the top 10 for the Sprint and managed only 13th on the grid for the main race. His race ended prematurely after an opening-lap collision with Franco Colapinto, causing significant front wing and floor damage to his SF-25.
• Chadwick's defense: British racing driver Jamie Chadwick emphasized that battling in the midfield is "not why he joined" Ferrari, pointing to Hamilton's uncharacteristic qualifying struggles and his disappointment at a track where he typically performs well.
• Hamilton's comments: Post-race, a dejected Hamilton labeled his current struggles with Ferrari a "nightmare," indicating deep frustration with the team's performance and reliability issues.
• Chandhok's perspective: Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok noted that Hamilton's form had been improving until Brazil, with his pace often matching Charles Leclerc's since the summer break. He suggested the Brazil GP might be an isolated incident, emphasizing that Hamilton had shown strong form previously.
• Ferrari's overall struggle: Leclerc also retired from the São Paulo GP after an incident involving Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli, highlighting broader issues within the Ferrari team, extending beyond just Hamilton's performance.

What's next:

With Hamilton's comments and the team's overall performance in Brazil, all eyes will be on how Ferrari addresses these deep-seated issues. The team needs to quickly find solutions to improve both pace and reliability to provide Hamilton with a competitive car. If the "nightmare" continues, it could significantly impact Hamilton's morale and Ferrari's long-term strategy, especially as the season progresses and the focus shifts toward 2025 development.