Former *Prime Gear* presenter Jeremy Clarkson expressed his criticisms of Lewis Hamilton following the motive force’s first week with the Maranello group.
After asserting 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 important milestone with an announcement during 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 pleased, highlighting the start of a brand new period for each himself and the Ferrari group. He eagerly anticipated the journey forward and the tales they’d create collectively.
Hamilton’s first week at Ferrari concerned assembly his new colleagues, posing for pictures with excited followers, and finally testing a Ferrari automobile on the monitor in Maranello, Italy. Nevertheless, Clarkson wasn’t significantly impressed by the order during which Hamilton approached his duties throughout his preliminary go to to Ferrari’s headquarters. In his column for *The Solar*, Clarkson steered that Hamilton might need benefited from starting his go to by immersing himself within the manufacturing facility’s surroundings, reasonably 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 right away. As well as, Jeremy Clarkson voiced his shock at Hamilton selecting to reside in Milan, over 100 miles away from the Ferrari headquarters, and never utilizing a Ferrari automobile for his commute, as a substitute 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 group may have the quickest automobile within the 2025 season. Though early rumors steered that Ferrari’s automobile was certainly quick, Clarkson identified that if Hamilton was really targeted on successful one other title, he would have doubtless approached his debut in a extra decided method. As a substitute, 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 group.
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 monitor in a Ferrari F1 automobile that was three years outdated, which, in accordance with Clarkson, was not probably the most spectacular begin for a driver who had simply joined such a prestigious group.
The truth that Hamilton’s new house is situated in Milan, removed from the group’s base in Maranello, solely added to Clarkson’s sense of confusion. Lewis Hamilton’s choice to depend on a helicopter reasonably 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 towards his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. The younger Monegasque driver, fluent in Italian and aware of the group’s dynamics, was already extensively considered one of many quickest drivers in F1, due to his prowess in single-lap qualifying classes. Clarkson steered that Hamilton’s new journey is likely to be about extra than simply securing an eighth world title. Maybe Lewis Hamilton, now within the later levels of his profession, was merely in search of the possibility to race for Ferrari, the crown jewel of motorsport, earlier than retiring. Whatever the causes behind his choice, Jeremy Clarkson expressed his properly needs for Hamilton’s future within the sport.
As considered 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. Nevertheless, 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 Method 1 marketing campaign.
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