Euphoria on Hamilton and Ferrari: But are the Italians expecting too much?
Ferrari
General
- Ludo van Denderen
Lewis Hamilton has unleashed a true Lewis-mania in Italy and among Ferrari fans around the world. This is the man to give the iconic team another world title, that seems to be the adage. But there is a danger that expectations are too high.
It was as if the Lord himself had landed on earth, such an enthused atmosphere occurred on Wednesday at Fiorano where Lewis Hamilton drove his first-ever laps in a Ferrari Formula 1 car. Of course, the madness was expected, because Italians are now passionate people - especially when it comes to their national pride Ferrari.
Can Hamilton live up to expectations?
However, the frenzied scenes also show that Hamilton has to deal with an expectation level that can just be way too high, which can ultimately lead to disappointment. Of course, the seven-time world champion is still top-notch, as he proved last season at Silverstone, for example, with a great win.
But Lewis Hamilton is also a human being of flesh and blood. Like everyone else, he needs time to get used to his new working environment, with its own habits and working methods. That takes time. It is not something that can be done from one day to the next.
Moreover, the words of his former Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff should not be forgotten, who believes that Hamilton is struggling with the current generation of F1 cars. Speaking to Auto, Motor und Sport, the Austrian recently stated: “He (Lewis) brakes late and throws the car aggressively into the corner. The car and the tyres can't handle that. With these cars, it is sometimes better to drive at 98 percent. And that applies even more to qualifying than the race."
Can Hamilton excel with this Ferrari?
Admittedly, Hamilton is no longer in a Mercedes, but in a Ferrari; the fundamentals of the cars are the same. Possibly the Ferrari suits him a little better, the fundamental 'problem' of this generation of cars could just get in his way again - at the very time when all of Italy is hoping - even expecting - that he will finally give them a Formula One world title.
As passionate as the Italians are, sentiment can also turn quickly. The past has proven that Italian fans and media can be quite blunt when expectations do not match reality. Especially in the first season - with the honeymoon period and the limitations Hamilton feels with this generation of cars - the Briton may not excel on a weekly basis.
Ferrari fans would do themselves a good turn if, above all, they continue to be realistic and think further ahead: 2026, after a major rulebook change and with Hamilton then a year in scarlet, could just be a better time for the Brit to take his eighth title. At least if he is given the time to do so by the surely critical outside world.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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