Former *High Gear* presenter Jeremy Clarkson expressed his criticisms of Lewis Hamilton following the motive force’s first week with the Maranello crew.
After saying his departure from Mercedes on the finish of the earlier season, Lewis Hamilton formally started his Ferrari chapter on January 20. The seven-time world champion marked this vital milestone with an announcement through which he conveyed his pleasure, describing it as a day he would eternally bear in mind. He mirrored on the extraordinary achievements of his profession, mentioning that a part of him had all the time dreamed of racing within the iconic pink Ferrari. Hamilton conveyed that fulfilling this dream made him extremely comfortable, highlighting the start of a brand new period for each himself and the Ferrari crew. He eagerly anticipated the journey forward and the tales they might create collectively.
Hamilton’s first week at Ferrari concerned assembly his new colleagues, posing for images with excited followers, and finally testing a Ferrari automobile on the observe in Maranello, Italy. Nonetheless, Clarkson wasn’t notably impressed by the order through which Hamilton approached his duties throughout his preliminary go to to Ferrari’s headquarters. In his column for *The Solar*, Clarkson prompt that Hamilton might need benefited from starting his go to by immersing himself within the manufacturing facility’s setting, somewhat than beginning with a photoshoot in formal apparel.
Clarkson was additionally puzzled by Lewis Hamilton’s choice to check a Ferrari that wasn’t model new, questioning why the seven-time world champion wasn’t given the chance to drive the most recent mannequin immediately. As well as, Jeremy Clarkson voiced his shock at Hamilton selecting to stay in Milan, over 100 miles away from the Ferrari headquarters, and never utilizing a Ferrari automobile for his commute, as an alternative opting to journey by Fiat’s helicopter.
Jeremy Clarkson speculated that Lewis Hamilton might need joined Ferrari with the hope of securing an eighth world championship title, believing the crew might have the quickest automobile within the 2025 season. Though early rumors prompt that Ferrari’s automobile was certainly quick, Clarkson identified that if Hamilton was really targeted on successful one other title, he would have possible approached his debut in a extra decided method. As an alternative, he arrived in an SUV, wearing a swimsuit and tie, and posed for pictures earlier than partaking with followers. This, Clarkson remarked, appeared extra like an attention-grabbing spectacle than a driver’s targeted introduction to a brand new crew.
Moreover, Jeremy Clarkson noticed Lewis Hamilton’s leisurely tour of the Maranello F1 headquarters, which appeared extra about admiring the workers’s applause than diving into the technical particulars of the automobile. Finally, the British driver took to the observe in a Ferrari F1 automobile that was three years outdated, which, in response to Clarkson, was not probably the most spectacular begin for a driver who had simply joined such a prestigious crew.
The truth that Hamilton’s new house is positioned in Milan, removed from the crew’s base in Maranello, solely added to Clarkson’s sense of confusion. Lewis Hamilton’s choice to depend on a helicopter somewhat than a Ferrari automobile for commuting prompted Jeremy Clarkson to marvel about Lewis Hamilton’s present priorities—whether or not he was really dedicated to the racing world or was extra targeted on his famous person standing.
The English tv presenter, journalist, farmer, and writer additionally highlighted the problem Hamilton would face in competing in opposition to his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. The younger Monegasque driver, fluent in Italian and acquainted with the crew’s dynamics, was already extensively thought to be one of many quickest drivers in F1, due to his prowess in single-lap qualifying classes. Clarkson prompt that Hamilton’s new journey is perhaps about extra than simply securing an eighth world title. Maybe Lewis Hamilton, now within the later phases of his profession, was merely looking for the prospect to race for Ferrari, the crown jewel of motorsport, earlier than retiring. Whatever the causes behind his choice, Jeremy Clarkson expressed his effectively needs for Hamilton’s future within the sport.
As certainly one of solely two drivers in F1 historical past to have received seven world championships, alongside Michael Schumacher, The British driver is undoubtedly a legend of the game. Nonetheless, at 40 years outdated, Lewis Hamilton hasn’t been the dominant driver in F1 since 2020, with Max Verstappen claiming the title every of the final 4 seasons. Hamilton’s first official race for Ferrari will happen in mid-March on the Melbourne Grand Prix, marking the beginning of the 2025 System 1 marketing campaign.
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