The magic of Lewis Hamilton appears to be over: the seven-time F1 world champion, now in his first yr at Ferrari, seems to be unrecognizable, and Carlo Vanzini fears Charles Leclerc could “retire” him. Ending solely sixth on the chequered flag of the Spanish Grand Prix, the Briton even gave technique to Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber. It was a disheartening final result after one more race spent within the shadow of his teammate.
It’s a matter of “adaptation,” as usually repeated in latest months. After spending his whole profession with McLaren and Mercedes, it’s solely pure that Hamilton wants time to regulate to new programs and constructions. Nonetheless, on the ninth spherical of the season, there are nonetheless few optimistic indicators from Ferrari #44. Far off his teammate’s tempo, he was even overwhelmed in Barcelona by a stunning Nico Hulkenberg.
The comparability with Charles Leclerc is putting: the Monegasque is constantly forward in races – besides at Imola, the place he was overtaken throughout a restart on used tyres – and has been outqualified solely in Shanghai and Barcelona. However what’s worrying is not only the ultimate outcome, however the race tempo itself: the Briton is usually slower, much less efficient when it comes to race rhythm, and when forward, finally ends up giving up the place.
Hamilton like Vettel: “retirement” comes from Leclerc
In his post-race debrief on his YouTube channel, Carlo Vanzini analysed what occurred in Spain: “I’ve at all times mentioned Hamilton can be an ideal match for Ferrari when it comes to mindset, power, and work methodology. I at all times warned a few doable boomerang impact – enthusiasm, if not backed up by outcomes, may backfire.”
“I mentioned this as a result of I assumed Ferrari can be preventing for the championship, as they claimed themselves – not the media, as Fred Vasseur says. I imagined a Lewis Hamilton who would deliver out the perfect in Charles Leclerc, with each drivers preventing for podiums. And in a means, that is taking place: Leclerc is preventing for 4th–fifth, whereas Lewis is 2 or three positions behind.” – he identified.
“That is already the second time he’s been requested to maneuver over for Leclerc, and it’s fairly embarrassing that, as soon as overtaken, he falls thus far again. After all, there are mitigating components – he’s driving a automotive he doesn’t but know, and so forth. However this was a observe the place Hamilton has six pole positions and 6 wins. If he begins fifth and finishes sixth, whereas Leclerc begins seventh and finally ends up third, one thing’s not working.”
“Lewis Hamilton’s success would have come together with Charles Leclerc’s and Ferrari’s success within the constructors’ standings. We’ve by no means seen this type of Lewis earlier than. It’s too early to say for certain, however it looks like a repeat of the previous: Leclerc retired a four-time world champion like Sebastian Vettel, changing Ferrari’s final world champion, Kimi Raikkonen – and now he appears on observe to retire a seven-time world champion.”
“I’ve at all times mentioned: if sooner or later Ferrari has a automotive able to 1-2 finishes, we’ll see Lewis Hamilton shine. In any other case, we’ll see him wrestle. Let’s look ahead to a brand new automotive and the driving fashion dictated by the upcoming laws.” – the F1 commentator concluded.