Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion and current Ferrari driver, has recently found himself at the center of fierce criticism following his performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The British driver, who described himself as “useless” after a weekend marked by more shadows than highlights, is currently going through an extremely challenging phase in his first season with Scuderia Ferrari. Despite having secured a Sprint Race victory in Shanghai, Lewis Hamilton has yet to achieve significant results in traditional Grand Prix events and has also faced accusations of “demoralizing the team” with his own candid statements.
At the halfway point of the 2025 season, Hamilton’s dream of success with Ferrari increasingly resembles a nightmare. He has struggled to keep pace with his younger, faster teammate—who himself has dealt with injuries, including during the Hungarian Grand Prix under circumstances that remain somewhat mysterious. Between Spa-Francorchamps and Budapest, Lewis Hamilton appears to have lost his usual rhythm and confidence, sparking frustration within the team, as acknowledged by Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur, one of the staunch supporters of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Maranello.
Despite the challenges, Lewis Hamilton’s extraordinary talent remains intact, and there are numerous mitigating factors at play: a new car, a different team dynamic, and regulations—now in their final year under the current format—that have never truly allowed him to be fully competitive. The 2026 season may represent his last real opportunity to demonstrate his potential with Ferrari. Yet, any misinterpretation of his statements risks unfairly painting his actions with malice.
Leo Turrini comes to Hamilton’s defense
Renowned Italian journalist and TV commentator Leo Turrini has stepped forward to defend Hamilton, responding to a reader on his blog “Profondo Rosso” on quotidiano.net. Leo Turrini criticized the negative interpretations circulating in the media and reminded fans and critics of a similar historical precedent involving Michael Schumacher.
According to Leo Turrini, Lewis Hamilton’s words were “maliciously misinterpreted” by those predisposed to disliking him. He recalled an anecdote from 1996 when Michael Schumacher, then at Ferrari, called together all Italian journalists to publicly defend team principal Jean Todt, without whom Michael Schumacher had threatened to leave the team. At the time, Leo Turrini notes, the move was considered strategic and salvific, aimed at protecting the team and its internal harmony. Today, such an action would likely be criticized as a major interference in corporate planning, yet in hindsight it was decisive in safeguarding Schumacher’s and Ferrari’s future success.
Leo Turrini’s defense suggests that Hamilton’s candid remarks, rather than being harmful, should be seen in the context of a high-pressure environment, where even the most celebrated drivers face scrutiny during periods of adaptation. His reflections serve as a reminder that in Formula 1, interpreting driver statements without context can easily fuel misunderstanding and unjust criticism, especially for a driver of Hamilton’s stature and experience.
As the 2025 season progresses, Lewis Hamilton faces the challenge of regaining rhythm and confidence while proving that his talent and resilience can still deliver results for Ferrari. Leo Turrini’s perspective offers fans and commentators a more balanced lens through which to understand Hamilton’s struggles, highlighting that even legends like Michael Schumacher faced moments requiring careful defense of both themselves and their teams.
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