Italian call for instant Lewis Hamilton change as Br…read more
The Italian media have offered a mixed and divided response to Lewis Hamilton’s performance at the 2025 British Grand Prix, where the seven-time world champion failed to secure a podium finish at Silverstone — something he had consistently achieved since 2013.
Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari, struggled to make an impact during the latter stages of the race, falling short of challenging for a top-three position. While Ferrari showed promising pace in Friday and Saturday’s sessions, their hopes were quickly dashed in a chaotic and unpredictable race.
Both Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc voiced their frustrations after the race, citing the challenging weather and slippery conditions that made their cars extremely difficult to manage. The inconsistent grip levels on the damp track contributed to a series of errors and ultimately affected Ferrari’s overall performance.
In the aftermath of the race, Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport came to Hamilton’s defense. The publication urged Ferrari to reconsider their technical and strategic direction, emphasizing the importance of aligning with Hamilton’s vision. Veteran journalist Gianluca Gasparini argued that hiring Hamilton should go beyond simply putting him in the car — it requires fully embracing his wealth of experience and insight gained over a championship-winning career.
Gasparini wrote, “Hiring Lewis – who has secured seven World Championships since 2008 while Ferrari have none – means adopting his philosophy and approach to car development. People unfamiliar with Formula 1 may interpret his struggles with an unpredictable car as a sign of decline, but in truth, he has been calling for a change in philosophy at Maranello for some time now.”
He further explained that Hamilton is advocating for a more balanced and consistent car concept — a shift away from Ferrari’s often aggressive designs toward something more stable and easier to drive. According to Gasparini, this approach could be the key to unlocking Ferrari’s long-awaited success in the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.
However, not all voices in the Italian media were as sympathetic. Sky Sports Italia, for instance, was critical of Hamilton’s showing at Silverstone, labeling his fourth-place finish a result of “blunders.” Their post-race analysis pointed out that Hamilton failed to capitalize on Ferrari’s relatively strong form and allowed Nico Hülkenberg to snatch the final podium spot — a surprising result that marked the German driver’s first top-three finish of the season.
“Silverstone is his home,” the outlet commented, “but the podium slips away due to his own mistakes.” They noted that Hamilton was unable to manage his car effectively after switching to soft tyres in the final laps, at one point veering off the track — a costly error that ended his chances of finishing in the top three.
To make matters worse, Leclerc’s race was even more disappointing. The Monegasque made a strategic error by pitting after the formation lap to switch to slick tyres. The move proved disastrous, as the wet track made it almost impossible to gain traction, resulting in him dropping far down the order. He ultimately finished in a lowly 14th position.
Although Hamilton’s mistake on the soft tyre cost him dearly, it mirrored similar struggles experienced by Leclerc, showing that the Ferrari SF-25 remains a difficult machine to handle in mixed conditions. The team’s setup and tyre choices continue to draw criticism, particularly in wet-weather races where Ferrari seem to lack adaptability.
The weekend’s performance has intensified the scrutiny surrounding Ferrari’s overall race strategy and car design philosophy. It also sparked debate over Hamilton’s current racing form. While some see his struggles as evidence of decline at 40 years old, others believe he is still adjusting to a car that fails to meet his standards and driving preferences.
In conclusion, while opinions in Italy remain split over Hamilton’s recent form, one thing is clear — Ferrari must adapt quickly if they hope to return to winning ways. Whether that means fully committing to Hamilton’s guidance or rethinking their technical approach, the pressure is mounting to deliver results before the season slips away.
