Ferrari has been reminded of the significant commercial importance Lewis Hamilton brings, even though his recent Formula 1 performances since moving from Mercedes have been disappointing. While Hamilton secured a sprint race win in China, his overall luck and on-track results have declined, culminating in visible frustration after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
His candid self-criticism following that race led to speculation about his future, with former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone suggesting retirement and pundit Martin Brundle questioning his ability to handle further challenging seasons. Despite these concerns, former F1 driver and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Emmanuele Pirro highlighted that Hamilton’s contribution extends beyond racing performance.
Finding someone faster than Charles Leclerc is not easy,
Pirro told Gazzetta.
Then there is the whole commercial discourse, of course…
Pirro emphasized Hamilton’s value in providing calm and adding a certain English composure behind the scenes, which can be just as important for Ferrari’s broader interests.
Charles Leclerc’s Dominance Highlights Hamilton’s Challenges
At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton was significantly outpaced by teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured pole position and finished fourth in the race. Hamilton openly acknowledged that his struggles were due to personal form rather than problems with the SF-25 car.
Emmanuele Pirro offered further insight into Hamilton’s situation, noting potential for improvement despite his age. He pointed to Fernando Alonso as an example of a driver maintaining competitiveness well beyond the typical peak years, suggesting Hamilton could still perform strongly given the right conditions.
We are not seeing the best Hamilton, there is certainly room to straighten out the situation,
Pirro said.
We can see a better version of Lewis, regardless of age. As you get older, you lose a bit of polish, of course, but Fernando Alonso is proof that even when you are older you can remain competitive.
According to Pirro, settling into a comfortable environment—both personally and technically—is crucial for drivers, and Hamilton has yet to achieve this balance with Ferrari. The emotional response he showed in Hungary is seen as evidence of his sensitivity and strong desire to succeed, regardless of past achievements.
I’ll give you an example: I won five times at Le Mans, yet the following year I had the same motivation as the first one. The same goes for Lewis.
Despite winning seven World Championship titles, Hamilton’s pursuit of an eighth remains uncertain amid his current difficulties.
Broader Implications for Ferrari and Future Prospects
While Lewis Hamilton’s on-track results have been underwhelming, his importance to Ferrari extends in ways that cannot be ignored, especially in commercial terms. His presence brings marketing value and a stabilizing influence behind the scenes, which can contribute to the overall team dynamic.
The continued rivalry and comparison with Charles Leclerc will likely push Hamilton to find solutions and regain form. Ferrari’s ability to harness his experience and commercial appeal will be key as the season progresses and beyond, determining both the team’s competitive edge and its business success.