Jeremy Clarkson identifies four key issues with Lewis Hamilton’s first week at Ferrari. Jeremy Clarkson expressed his criticisms of Lewis Hamilton following the driver’s first week with Ferrari.

Former *Top Gear* presenter Jeremy Clarkson expressed his criticisms of Lewis Hamilton following the driver’s first week with the Maranello team.

After announcing his departure from Mercedes at the end of the previous season, Lewis Hamilton officially began his Ferrari chapter on January 20. The seven-time world champion marked this significant milestone with a statement in which he conveyed his excitement, describing it as a day he would forever remember. He reflected on the extraordinary achievements of his career, mentioning that part of him had always dreamed of racing in the iconic red Ferrari. Hamilton conveyed that fulfilling this dream made him incredibly happy, highlighting the beginning of a new era for both himself and the Ferrari team. He eagerly anticipated the journey ahead and the stories they would create together.

Hamilton’s first week at Ferrari involved meeting his new colleagues, posing for photos with excited fans, and eventually testing a Ferrari car at the track in Maranello, Italy. However, Clarkson wasn’t particularly impressed by the order in which Hamilton approached his duties during his initial visit to Ferrari’s headquarters. In his column for *The Sun*, Clarkson suggested that Hamilton might have benefited from beginning his visit by immersing himself in the factory’s environment, rather than starting with a photoshoot in formal attire.

Clarkson was also puzzled by Lewis Hamilton’s decision to test a Ferrari that wasn’t brand new, questioning why the seven-time world champion wasn’t given the opportunity to drive the latest model straight away. In addition, Jeremy Clarkson voiced his surprise at Hamilton choosing to live in Milan, over 100 miles away from the Ferrari headquarters, and not using a Ferrari car for his commute, instead opting to travel by Fiat’s helicopter.

Jeremy Clarkson speculated that Lewis Hamilton might have joined Ferrari with the hope of securing an eighth world championship title, believing the team could have the fastest car in the 2025 season. Although early rumors suggested that Ferrari’s car was indeed fast, Clarkson pointed out that if Hamilton was truly focused on winning another title, he would have likely approached his debut in a more determined manner. Instead, he arrived in an SUV, dressed in a suit and tie, and posed for photographs before engaging with fans. This, Clarkson remarked, seemed more like an attention-grabbing spectacle than a driver’s focused introduction to a new team.

Furthermore, Jeremy Clarkson observed Lewis Hamilton’s leisurely tour of the Maranello F1 headquarters, which seemed more about admiring the staff’s applause than diving into the technical details of the car. Eventually, the British driver took to the track in a Ferrari F1 car that was three years old, which, according to Clarkson, was not the most impressive start for a driver who had just joined such a prestigious team.

The fact that Hamilton’s new home is located in Milan, far from the team’s base in Maranello, only added to Clarkson’s sense of confusion. Lewis Hamilton’s decision to rely on a helicopter rather than a Ferrari car for commuting prompted Jeremy Clarkson to wonder about Lewis Hamilton’s current priorities—whether he was truly committed to the racing world or was more focused on his superstar status.

The English television presenter, journalist, farmer, and author also highlighted the challenge Hamilton would face in competing against his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. The young Monegasque driver, fluent in Italian and familiar with the team’s dynamics, was already widely regarded as one of the fastest drivers in F1, thanks to his prowess in single-lap qualifying sessions. Clarkson suggested that Hamilton’s new journey might be about more than just securing an eighth world title. Perhaps Lewis Hamilton, now in the later stages of his career, was simply seeking the chance to race for Ferrari, the crown jewel of motorsport, before retiring. Regardless of the reasons behind his decision, Jeremy Clarkson expressed his well wishes for Hamilton’s future in the sport.

As one of only two drivers in F1 history to have won seven world championships, alongside Michael Schumacher, The British driver is undoubtedly a legend of the sport. However, at 40 years old, Lewis Hamilton hasn’t been the dominant driver in F1 since 2020, with Max Verstappen claiming the title each of the last four seasons. Hamilton’s first official race for Ferrari will take place in mid-March at the Melbourne Grand Prix, marking the start of the 2025 Formula 1 campaign.