Lewis Hamilton is regularly coming to phrases with the truth that he’s now not ‘the child of the home’ at Ferrari and is going through appreciable cultural variations after his high-profile transfer from Mercedes. This attitude comes from Eric Boullier, former Renault and Lotus group principal in addition to ex-McLaren racing director.
The Briton’s switch from Mercedes—a group that formed him right into a seven-time Formulation 1 world champion and helped him shatter quite a few information—to Ferrari, fulfilling a lifelong ambition to race for the long-lasting Scuderia, stays one of the talked-about transitions in F1 historical past.
Regardless of securing a dash race win earlier than the Chinese language Grand Prix early within the 2025 Formulation 1 season, the 40-year-old driver has discovered it difficult to depart a serious mark in common Grand Prix races. His finest end thus far has been fourth place, narrowly lacking out on the rostrum on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.
Simply two weeks later, Lewis Hamilton left the Circuit de Catalunya after ending sixth in the Barcelona Grand Prix in Montmelo, showing puzzled and annoyed by his lack of ability to extract aggressive tempo from his Ferrari automotive.
Eric Boullier, who spent 4 years at Renault/Lotus and over 4 and a half years with McLaren, respects Lewis Hamilton’s resolution to depart Mercedes and be a part of Ferrari, calling it a “very courageous transfer.” Nonetheless, he additionally acknowledges that difficulties have been all the time to be anticipated.
He defined that when a driver has achieved every thing and is extensively considered the GOAT (Biggest of All Time), adapting to a brand new group, particularly one like Ferrari, is a major problem. In keeping with Boullier, shifting from Mercedes—a dominant high group with which Hamilton loved long-term success—to a different elite group resembling Ferrari is way extra advanced than switching to a midfield squad.
On the subject of cultural adjustment, Eric Boullier drew parallels to Fernando Alonso’s struggles when he joined McLaren in 2007 after profitable two consecutive championships with Renault. Alonso anticipated preferential therapy at McLaren however discovered himself competing towards Hamilton, then a rookie, who shortly turned the group’s focus.
The French motor racing engineer and supervisor highlighted that Lewis Hamilton is now experiencing an identical dynamic at Ferrari with Charles Leclerc, the place the Briton is now not the favored “child of the home.”
He noticed that Lewis Hamilton’s radio communications along with his race engineer counsel he’s nonetheless struggling to settle into the brand new group setting, and Eric Boullier believes it is going to take time for the seven-time Formulation 1 world champion to completely adapt to the brand new actuality. Additional, the previous racing director of the McLaren F1 Crew famous that Lewis Hamilton would have felt extra comfy being English in a British-based group like Mercedes, whose headquarters and energy unit amenities are situated in Brackley and Brixworth, England.
Eric Boullier even in contrast Lewis Hamilton’s scenario to that of former F1 driver Romain Grosjean, whom he signed for Lotus in 2012 regardless of widespread skepticism. Many doubted Grosjean’s talents initially, however Boullier stood by him and was ultimately confirmed proper as Romain Grosjean turned a podium contender.
The previous group principal burdened that group tradition considerably impacts how nicely a driver integrates, suggesting this can be a key problem for Lewis Hamilton at in Maranello.
He emphasised that whereas Hamilton’s velocity and standing as one of many best drivers in F1 historical past are undisputed, it’s clear that Charles Leclerc feels extra at dwelling inside Ferrari’s tradition, whereas Hamilton continues to be working to seek out his place.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
