Italian journalist Leo Turrini has defended Lewis Hamilton, arguing he is being made a "scapegoat" for Ferrari's struggles with what Turrini calls an "embarrassing" car. Turrini insists Hamilton, despite his age, needs to prove himself but shouldn't be blamed for Ferrari's current performance.
Why it matters
Hamilton's move to Ferrari, announced unexpectedly, sparked considerable discussion. His current performance, seemingly overshadowed by teammate Charles Leclerc and the SF-24's lack of competitiveness, has led to scrutiny. Turrini's strong defense highlights the internal and external pressures on both Hamilton and the team.
The big picture
Lewis Hamilton surprised the Formula 1 paddock by announcing his departure from Mercedes to join Ferrari, exercising an exit clause in his contract. While Ferrari showed promising pace in the latter half of the previous season, the SF-24 has failed to deliver a single win this year. The team currently sits second in the Constructors' standings, but a significant 299 points behind McLaren.
The details
Fingers have been pointed at Hamilton, who has openly expressed frustration with his own performance, even labeling himself "useless" and suggesting Ferrari might need to "change" drivers. When asked by a reader if Hamilton's past success at Mercedes (where cars were arguably designed for him) made it difficult to regain speed, Turrini offered a spirited defense.
- Hamilton's Legacy: Turrini emphasized, "Hamilton is a legend and no one can downplay that. Denying his glorious past is foolish."
- The Car's Role: He added, "He is 40 years old, at Ferrari they gave him an embarrassing car and on top of that Leclerc is faster (but we already knew this except for a few suckers)."
- Scapegoat Argument: Turrini strongly rejected the idea of Hamilton as a "scapegoat" for a Scuderia that has scored less than half of McLaren's points in 14 races, calling it "ridiculous."
What's next
Despite recent disheartening performances in Belgium and Hungary, Hamilton has vowed to return stronger after the summer break. He posted on social media, "I'll be using the time to reset, recharge and come back stronger. I'm not where I want to be yet, but the fight's not over – don't count me out."