Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated move to Ferrari has turned into a nightmare debut season, with the seven-time world champion failing to secure a single podium finish while languishing in sixth place in the Drivers' Championship.
Ecclestone's Warning Proves Accurate
Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's prediction that Hamilton would struggle against Charles Leclerc at Ferrari has proven remarkably accurate. The 95-year-old warned last year that the Italian team would firmly back Leclerc, creating a challenging environment for the British racing legend.
"I don't think it will be easy for Lewis," Ecclestone told the Daily Mail before Hamilton's switch. "Especially in that team. They will back Charles Leclerc. He's quick and has grown up there. They won't dump him for anyone."
Staggering Performance Gap Emerges
The statistics make for grim reading for Hamilton fans. The British driver trails his teammate by a massive 64 points, with Leclerc having already secured seven podium finishes this season, including two in his last two outings.
Hamilton's difficulties at Maranello follow a troubled final campaign at Mercedes, where the 40-year-old was consistently outpaced by George Russell in qualifying sessions. The current season has seen this pattern continue, despite Hamilton securing a reported £50 million-a-year contract with Ferrari.
Experts Describe Hamilton's Form as 'Horrible to Watch'
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert didn't mince words when assessing Hamilton's recent performances, particularly his eighth-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix after receiving a 10-second penalty following a tussle with Max Verstappen.
"It was another frustrating weekend for him," Herbert stated. "It was a better qualifying. He seemed to be happier with the qualifying performance. But then in the race it didn't quite materialise. It just didn't click for him. It just seems to be an ongoing thing. It's horrible to watch."
Ecclestone had suggested that if Hamilton showed signs of decline, tearing up his lucrative Ferrari deal would be the correct decision, even if it meant walking away from significant financial rewards.
Attention now turns to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Hamilton has previously tasted victory three times in his career, with his most recent win coming in 2021. Ferrari fans will be hoping this historic circuit can spark a turnaround in fortunes for their struggling star.
