- Lewis Hamilton blasted for behaviour on first Ferrari visit and snubbing for been…read more
Jeremy Clarkson has criticized Lewis Hamilton for his behavior during his first visit to Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello. Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, recently began his new chapter with Ferrari, taking part in a private test at the Fiorano circuit. While completing 30 laps in their 2023 car, Hamilton attracted a large crowd of enthusiastic fans. Clarkson, however, was unimpressed by how Hamilton seemed to capitalize on the attention, suggesting that the British driver was more focused on his celebrity image than his role as a racing driver.
In his column for The Sun, Clarkson took aim at Hamilton for the way he presented himself. He noted that Hamilton arrived at Ferrari’s factory in an SUV wearing a suit and tie, using the occasion to pose for social media photos and engage with fans, all while being filmed by a video drone. Clarkson pointed out that this was a far cry from the behavior one might expect from someone who is supposed to be dedicated to securing another world title. Instead of focusing solely on getting to know the car’s technical intricacies and improving his performance, Hamilton seemed to prioritize the spectacle of the visit.
Clarkson also criticized Hamilton for his choice of transport, revealing that he doesn’t commute to Ferrari’s headquarters in a Ferrari road car, but rather in a Fiat helicopter. This, according to Clarkson, further fueled his doubts about whether Hamilton is more concerned with maintaining his superstar status than with the seriousness of his racing career.
As Hamilton embarks on this new chapter with Ferrari, Clarkson questioned whether the driver is truly committed to winning another championship, or if he’s simply fulfilling a lifelong dream of racing for the prestigious team. Despite his success in the sport, Hamilton’s apparent focus on fame and lifestyle could detract from his goal of reclaiming a world title, especially in a team that’s still trying to find its way back to championship glory.
Clarkson also raised concerns about Hamilton’s chances of beating his teammate, Charles Leclerc. Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, is a proven talent and has a strong understanding of the team, including fluency in Italian. He is widely regarded as one of the fastest drivers on the grid, especially in qualifying sessions. Clarkson believes that Hamilton may find it difficult to compete with Leclerc, who has the advantage of experience and familiarity with Ferrari’s culture.
While Clarkson expressed his doubts about Hamilton’s ability to win another title with Ferrari, he concluded with a somewhat sympathetic note, suggesting that Hamilton may have joined the team not necessarily to add another championship to his collection, but simply to experience driving for Ferrari, motorsport’s most iconic team. Regardless of the reasons behind Hamilton’s move, Clarkson wished him the best of luck in his new venture.
