Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff has “no doubt” Lewis Hamilton nonetheless has the “magic” to carry out at a excessive degree after a troublesome begin to life at Ferrari.
Hamilton has largely been outperformed by Charles Leclerc after six rounds however was extra aggressive final weekend in Miami, ending third within the Dash and on the tail of his Ferrari team-mate in the primary race, albeit in eighth.
The three race weekends previous to that noticed Hamilton misplaced for solutions as he was unable to beat Leclerc in aggressive classes, and the seven-time champion stated after April’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that it could be a “painful” 2025.
“I think we saw that magic in the Sprint Race in Shanghai. He was completely dominating that race,” stated Wolff, who spent 12 seasons as Hamilton’s boss at Mercedes.
“It isn’t like you may have the magic in a single race after which all of the sudden you lose the magic within the subsequent one. I very a lot imagine that it is nonetheless there.
“If he aligns all his performance contributors and feels he is in the right space and the car is to his liking, he will be stellar. I have no doubt.”
Regardless of his struggles, Hamilton is simply 12 factors behind Leclerc forward of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.
Hamilton’s tempo deficit to Leclerc has not been in a single specific space, and Wolff thinks his former driver will rediscover his greatest type.
“I’m also not surprised he has those road bumps. He was with us 12 years – the way of operating. He’s been put in a Ferrari, where his team-mate has been a long time,” continued Wolff.
“And his team-mate clearly is one of the very good ones. So from the outside and speaking to him, it’s a trajectory any new driver needs to go through in a top team.”
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Lewis Hamilton sends jabs at Ferrari on workforce radio through the Miami Grand Prix
Wolff nonetheless ‘nice mates’ with Hamilton
Earlier this 12 months, Wolff stated it felt like he had three drivers as he watched Hamilton’s progress on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, in addition to his two Mercedes drivers.
The German confirmed he nonetheless talks to Hamilton away from the paddock.
“We’re still great friends with Lewis. I spent a lot of time with him, travelling, and I’m still seeing him,” he stated.
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Sporting superstars together with Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Simone Biles attend the Met Gala 2025 on the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork in New York
“It came to a point last year where, you know, it’s like spending 12 years in a row on holiday with your best friend. At a certain stage you say, well, maybe do something else this time around.
“And for Lewis, he wanted a refresher, a reinvention. Ferrari is iconic, little question about that. Actually he additionally bought phrases that had been attention-grabbing for him.”
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New footage of a healthful trade between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after workforce orders dispute on the Miami Grand Prix
Russell: Not good to see Hamilton struggles
Hamilton’s lack of constant, robust outcomes is a continuation of his final 12 months at Mercedes the place he completed behind team-mate George Russell within the championship and was outqualified 19-5.
Russell thinks individuals have been “underestimating how difficult Formula 1 is” and the way troublesome it’s to adapt to a brand new workforce.
“He’s a champion, he’s a winner, and he’s in a position where he can’t achieve that,” stated Russell.
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Talking on The F1 Present podcast, former Aston Martin technique engineer Bernie Collins explains why Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc discovered Ferrari’s race technique irritating on the Miami Grand Prix
“And it’s not easy to accept. If he was beaming with a big smile, you’d be questioning why he’s beaming with a big smile.
“I’ve bought plenty of respect for him and I like him personally. It isn’t good to see anyone who’s not having fun with it.
“But why should he be enjoying it? Because for him it’s not about the money, it’s about the results. And it’s not clicking for him at the moment, but I’m sure it will click at one point.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Emilia Romagna GP Schedule
Thursday Might 15
2pm: Drivers’ Press Convention
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Look again at among the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Friday Might 16
8.50am: F3 Apply
10am: F2 Apply
12pm: Emilia Romagna GP Apply One (session begins at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
2.55pm: F2 Qualifying
3:40pm: Emilia Romagna GP Apply Two (session begins at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Present
Saturday Might 17
9am: F3 Dash
11:15am: Emilia Romagna GP Apply Three (session begins at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Dash
2.10pm: Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: EMILIA ROMAGNA GP QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday Might 18
7.25am: F3 Characteristic Race
8.55am: F2 Characteristic Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Emilia Romagna GP build-up
2pm: The EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Emilia Romagna GP response
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*Additionally stay on Sky Sports activities Principal Occasion
F1’s European season begins with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
