Hamilton Faces Adjustment Challenges with Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton is grappling with a steep learning curve in his inaugural season with Ferrari, acknowledging it may take months to fully adapt to the car’s dynamics. Despite winning the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix, the transition has been fraught with difficulties. Following a disappointing outing in Saudi Arabia, Hamilton described the current ground effect era as his most challenging since debuting in Formula 1 with McLaren in 2007.
Hamilton encountered several setbacks, including a radio conflict with race engineer Riccardo Adami and an early disqualification in Shanghai. This has led to questions about his future in the sport. "I try not to focus on opinions from people who lack insight," Hamilton stated during a media session in Miami. "I keep my head down and enjoy my work."
As he prepares for the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton remains cautious about expectations. With no upgrades to the Ferrari for this race, he compared his current circumstances to his early days with Mercedes in 2013. "We’re trying to optimize the car, but the lack of upgrades is limiting," he noted. He emphasized the importance of replicating teammate Charles Leclerc’s performance in recent races.
Reflecting on the adjustment process, Hamilton admitted, "I can’t rule out needing a similar period of acclimatization." He indicated that while the team is working diligently to expedite his adaptation, the timeframe remains uncertain.
As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, the pressure mounts on Hamilton to deliver results while continuing to adjust to a challenging new environment.
