Lewis Hamilton’s ex-competitor has criticized Ferrari for being disorderly but argues that Hamilton’s first season with the Italian team has not been as catastrophic as it may seem. Since Hamilton joined Ferrari at the start of this year, his aspirations of racing in Ferrari red have not materialized as expected.
During his challenging initial months at Ferrari, the 40-year-old has displayed increasing signs of disappointment. Hamilton, in an unusual move, referred to himself as “useless,” had disagreements with his race engineer, and failed to secure a single podium finish in a Grand Prix, setting a record as the longest-serving Ferrari driver without achieving this milestone.
The recent Mexican Grand Prix encapsulated the turbulent year for Hamilton. Despite a third-place position in qualifying, an altercation with Max Verstappen forced Hamilton off track, resulting in a 10-second penalty and an eighth-place finish.
Currently, Hamilton sits in sixth place in the drivers’ championship, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by 64 points. However, former F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez believes that Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari should be viewed in the broader Ferrari context.
Gutierrez, who raced against Hamilton for Sauber and Haas and was a test and reserve driver for Ferrari in 2015, transitioned to Mercedes in 2018 as a development driver. He now serves as a brand and business ambassador for Mercedes, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the seven-time world champion.
Gutierrez highlighted the positives from the recent Mexican Grand Prix and expressed optimism for Hamilton’s future performance. He noted that Hamilton seemed more comfortable with the car during the event.
Gutierrez acknowledged the challenges of racing for Ferrari, describing it as “organized chaos” driven by passion. Despite the difficulties, he emphasized that winning with Ferrari presents a unique and formidable challenge compared to other teams.
Looking ahead to the upcoming regulation changes in 2026, which could benefit Hamilton, Gutierrez remains positive about Hamilton’s prospects. Despite past tensions with Hamilton, Gutierrez believes that Hamilton’s experience this year could pave the way for a stronger performance next season.
In a shift from their previous disagreements, Gutierrez expressed understanding for Hamilton’s position and the challenges he faces as a world champion. Gutierrez emphasized the importance of setting a positive example for fans and the racing community.
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