Where's the pre-season hype, the sweet weeks, the all-encompassing madness? Currently, it seems that there's a Charles Leclerc who's getting outstanding performances out of a mediocre Scuderia Ferrari week after week. And then there's Lewis Hamilton...
He's suffering. And increasingly so, and apart from a single victory in the sprint race, he's steadily falling behind in the points standings – even the Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli, who was signed to replace him, is overtaking him. As a result, not only Ferrari-friendly pundits but also the Reds' friendly media landscape are beginning to criticize Hamilton. Under the title "From Promises to Doubts," Corriere della Sera published an article on the subject, emphasizing that the Briton's integration is more difficult, even in the worst-case scenario. They add that even inexperienced drivers like Oliver Bearman have found their rhythm in a shorter time, and that Hamilton's fiercely competitive predecessor, Carlos Sainz, who had struggled at Williams, was able to prove himself on the final lap. In their opinion, this is creating a highly embarrassing situation in Maranello, and not just professionally. Even the most fanatical Hamilton fans are growing impatient, and the entire Tifosi is nervous about the noticeable drops in performance.
Photo: Imago / De Telegraaf
