Valtteri Bottas Expresses Uncertainty Over Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari Future

Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton's former Mercedes teammate, believes it's too early to tell if Hamilton can recover from his 'tricky' start at Ferrari and return to his race-winning form. Hamilton's move to Maranello has yet to yield a podium finish, despite high expectations.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated switch to Ferrari was expected to inject new life into both his career and the Scuderia's championship hopes. However, a challenging start has raised questions about the partnership's trajectory, impacting the narrative of one of F1's most decorated drivers and a legendary team. His performance directly influences Ferrari's competitive standing and the overall dynamic of the grid.

The details:

• Hamilton's current run at Ferrari sees him nearing an unenviable record: if he doesn't secure a podium at the upcoming United States Grand Prix, he will surpass Didier Pironi's record for the longest start to a Ferrari tenure without a rostrum finish.
• His best results this season have been in sprint races, including a victory in Shanghai and a third-place finish in Miami.
• Challenges of Team Change: Bottas, who partnered Hamilton at Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, highlighted the inherent difficulties of transitioning to a new team, especially after a long tenure as a 'lead man.' He noted that it's a 'very different environment' Hamilton is now operating within.
• Bottas's Perspective: While expressing hope for Hamilton to 'bounce back,' Bottas emphasized that 'time will show if he will.' He acknowledged some 'good moments' and 'a bit of bad luck' for Hamilton but refrained from making definitive predictions, citing his lack of insight into Ferrari's internal operations and struggles.
• Experience vs. Comparison: Bottas, who will join Cadillac next year after a stint as a reserve driver, has changed teams three times in his F1 career. However, he noted his experiences aren't directly comparable to Hamilton's, as his moves typically coincided with significant regulation changes, making it harder to predict the impact on car performance.

What's next:

The focus will undoubtedly be on the upcoming races, particularly the United States Grand Prix, to see if Hamilton can break his podium drought and shift the narrative. The true test of his long-term success at Ferrari will depend on his ability to adapt fully to the team's environment and for the team to provide a car that can consistently challenge at the front.