Davide Valsecchi has dismissed the notion that Ferrari’s resolution to signal Lewis Hamilton was a mistake, regardless of the seven-time World Champion’s struggles in recent times. The previous GP2 champion argued that whereas Hamilton’s performances have been under his previous requirements, his presence at Ferrari has already delivered vital industrial success.
The British driver’s transition to the Italian aspect has been something however easy, with the seven-time F1 world champion enduring a tough begin to the 2025 season. His debut race on the Albert Park circuit in Australia resulted in disappointment with a Tenth-place end, failing to fulfill the excessive expectations surrounding his high-profile change from Mercedes over the winter.
Though Lewis Hamilton showcased his ability by changing pole place into victory in the course of the dash race in China, it marked solely his third win of any variety because the begin of the 2022 season. Nevertheless, his efficiency in the principle race in Shanghai was far much less spectacular, as he struggled to match the tempo of his opponents. Including to his woes, each he and team-mate Charles Leclerc had been disqualified from the ultimate outcomes for separate infractions.
Hamilton’s exclusion resulting from extreme skid-block put on marked the second time in 18 months he confronted such a penalty, the primary being in the course of the 2023 United States Grand Prix in his penultimate season with Mercedes. Regardless of these on-track challenges, his transfer to Ferrari has already confirmed to be a industrial triumph. Puma, Ferrari’s package provider, reported an eightfold surge in gross sales since Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello, demonstrating his immense marketability.
Valsecchi, who gained the GP2 title in 2012 earlier than changing into a revered tv pundit in Italy, expressed doubts about Hamilton’s capability to take care of the extent of efficiency that after outlined his profession. He instructed that Hamilton now not carries the identical assure of success as reigning four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. During the last three years, the British driver has struggled to say dominance, making it more and more tough for him to outperform Leclerc, even when his efficiency deficit is simply marginal.
When requested whether or not Ferrari had erred in signing Hamilton, Davide Valsecchi dismissed the concept, reportedly telling Corriere della Sera that it will be an unreasonable conclusion. He famous that Hamilton had proven spectacular tempo throughout pre-season testing and introduced a star-like presence to the staff. From a industrial perspective, Ferrari had already gained considerably from his signing. Nevertheless, The previous GP2 champion additionally identified that whereas Verstappen would have been a transparent number-one driver on the observe, Hamilton now not holds that standing. He described Hamilton as a dependable driver with robust wet-weather talents and a comparatively low crash fee however insisted that his total efficiency stage had declined over the previous three years. Davide Valsecchi additional remarked that at 40 years outdated, no driver may keep the identical pace they’d at 25, emphasizing that even a small drop in efficiency would place Hamilton behind his Maranello teammate..
Ferrari stays in pursuit of its first World Championship since 2008, the identical 12 months Lewis Hamilton gained his maiden title with McLaren. The British driver has overtly expressed his dedication to say a record-breaking eighth title with Ferrari, a objective that has eluded him because the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the place he was denied the championship underneath contentious circumstances.
Davide Valsecchi, an avid Inter Milan fan, was additionally requested whether or not he would like to see his beloved soccer membership win the UEFA Champions League or Ferrari reclaim F1 supremacy. He reportedly responded that he would favor a Ferrari triumph, however provided that Leclerc was the motive force to safe the title.
His remarks got here amid broader discussions surrounding Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari, with tv presenter and motorsport fanatic Jeremy Clarkson not too long ago speculating on the motivations behind the change. Clarkson theorized that Hamilton, conscious that his peak years had been behind him, could have chosen Ferrari to expertise racing for probably the most iconic staff in motorsport earlier than retiring. He questioned whether or not Hamilton was nonetheless primarily a racing driver or if his persona had developed into that of a world famous person. Moreover, Jeremy Clarkson highlighted the problem Hamilton would face towards Leclerc, who’s deeply built-in into the staff, fluent in Italian, and broadly thought to be one of many quickest drivers over a single lap.
Jeremy Clarkson instructed that Hamilton’s resolution to affix Ferrari may need been pushed by a need to cement his legacy by racing for the game’s most prestigious staff earlier than stepping away from Components 1. Whatever the reasoning behind the transfer, Clarkson finally expressed his greatest needs for Hamilton’s tenure at Ferrari.
Apr 1, 2025
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