Lewis Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari have reached a critical point, with the seven-time World Champion failing to secure a podium finish in his first ten races with the team. Robert Doornbos, a former Formula 1 driver, empathizes with Hamilton’s plight, drawing parallels to his own podium drought in the sport. The lackluster performance of Hamilton in the SF-25 has raised concerns about his future at Scuderia.
Despite securing a lights-to-flag Sprint win, Hamilton’s overall performance has been lackluster, with his best Sunday finish being a disappointing P4 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Currently sitting in sixth place in the Drivers’ Championship, Hamilton is trailing behind by 119 points from the leader, Oscar Piastri. Should he drop further in the standings, he risks matching his worst finishing position of P7 from the previous season with Mercedes.
Doornbos pointed out that Hamilton’s current dry spell without a podium is unprecedented in his illustrious career, reflecting the challenges he faces at Ferrari. The former driver expressed disappointment in Ferrari’s inability to provide Hamilton with the necessary tools for success, criticizing the team’s drastic changes that have yet to yield positive results.
Doornbos attributed some of Ferrari’s struggles to the team’s composition, highlighting the absence of key English figures who played pivotal roles during the Michael Schumacher era. He noted that Hamilton, as the sole prominent Englishman in the team, has been unable to deliver the expected performance, labeling him as “not fast enough” to lead Ferrari to victory.
The deteriorating relationship between Hamilton and his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, has also raised concerns, with Doornbos describing their communication as “terrible.” The lack of synergy and performance on the track has intensified the pressure on Hamilton as he navigates a challenging season at Ferrari.
As the mid-season approaches, Hamilton finds himself grappling with unprecedented struggles, raising questions about his ability to turn the tide at Ferrari. With mounting challenges and a string of disappointing results, the road ahead looks increasingly uncertain for the seven-time World Champion.
