Esteban Gutierrez, a former competitor of Lewis Hamilton, has criticized Ferrari for being disorganized but believes that Hamilton’s first season with the team has not been as disastrous as it may seem. Despite facing challenges since joining Ferrari earlier this year, Hamilton has expressed frustration, clashed with his race engineer, and failed to secure a podium finish in any Grand Prix, marking a record for the longest-serving Ferrari driver without a podium.
During the recent Mexican Grand Prix, Hamilton encountered more setbacks, including a 10-second time penalty due to an incident with Max Verstappen, resulting in an eighth-place finish despite qualifying third. Currently, Hamilton sits in sixth place in the drivers’ championship, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by 64 points. Gutierrez, who has experience with both Ferrari and Mercedes, highlighted that adapting to the Italian team’s environment can be challenging, emphasizing the passionate yet chaotic nature of Ferrari.
Gutierrez remains optimistic about Hamilton’s future performance, noting improvements in his comfort level with the car during the recent race weekend. He acknowledged the unique challenges of racing for Ferrari and commended Hamilton for his efforts, suggesting that the current season could serve as valuable experience for the upcoming year. Looking ahead to regulatory changes in 2026, Gutierrez hinted at potential benefits for Hamilton with the reset of driver standings.
Despite past tensions between Gutierrez and Hamilton, particularly during a contentious race in 2016, Gutierrez now maintains a positive outlook on Hamilton’s career. He stressed the importance of setting a good example and handling competition gracefully, urging Hamilton to consider his influential position in the sport. Sky Sports, known for its comprehensive sports coverage, now offers an enhanced TV package inclusive of various streaming services and extensive Formula 1 coverage.