Lewis Hamilton praises Riccardo Adami and Ferrari: a podium was possible with a few more laps at Imola

The Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola ended with Max Verstappen’s brilliant victory. With a great start, he overtook Oscar Piastri at the Tamburello corner and never gave up the lead again. The Australian was later overtaken by Lando Norris as well, in what was perhaps his most anonymous race of the season so far. Worth noting was Lewis Hamilton’s impressive comeback from twelfth to a final fourth place.

First stint decisive
For the seven-time Formula 1 world champion now at Ferrari, Sunday had not started particularly well: starting on hard tyres, he attempted a reverse strategy that ultimately paid off, but at the start he was immediately passed by Kimi Antonelli, who was also on the hardest Pirelli compound. From that moment on, the British driver remained behind him, but managed to keep his hard tyres in good condition.

Both drivers significantly extended their stint, while many others switched from mediums to hards, including Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri. Lewis Hamilton’s strategy was clear: a one-stop race, hoping for a Safety Car or a Virtual Safety Car at the right time, which indeed came due to Esteban Ocon’s Haas stopping inside the Tosa corner.

The seven-time champion took full advantage of the situation, fitted hard tyres, and got back into contention for something important and honestly unexpected before the race began. The disastrous performance in the qualifying session the day before for both Ferrari SF-25 cars had led many to expect an embarrassing Sunday for the Maranello team, but that was not the case, with both drivers performing admirably and fighting hard in every situation.

Lewis Hamilton was certainly luckier than Charles Leclerc, and indeed both have always been touched by their respective companions—luck and misfortune, at various moments in their careers. The Briton made the most of every favourable situation, delivering what was unquestionably his best race performance of the season, setting aside his Sprint Race win.

A podium not so far out of reach
Lewis Hamilton finally responded to the exaggerated criticism he had received so far. Unfortunately, many fail to consider how lacking the Ferrari SF-25 is, to the point where even Maranello’s own technicians and engineers struggle to fully understand it, which is clearly a significant issue for a team that had made bold championship claims over the winter. Controversy aside, a cheerful Lewis Hamilton was seen again after the race, even joking with a clearly more relieved Frederic Vasseur compared to the previous day at the 4.909-kilometre Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

Saturday’s situation had been rather bleak, and expecting such a result on Sunday, while not excellent overall, still positive, had not been easy. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, visibly encouraged, was certain that the podium would have been within reach with a few more laps, given his clearly superior pace compared to Oscar Piastri.

The British driver admitted that did not expect to finish fourth starting from so far back, but the feeling with the car had been fantastic and the team had worked perfectly. He believed that, step by step, they were really getting closer. His Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami had been impeccable in guiding him via radio, and he had managed to stay calm, as had the whole team. The strategy and pit stops had been executed flawlessly. Overall, it had been an excellent race, and with a few more laps, he might even have been able to fight for the podium in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

He also said he was really happy and wanted to thank the fans: the energy that day had been extraordinary. It had been moving to see that sea of red in the grandstands, a special moment for him. Lewis Hamilton had not known exactly what to expect, nor how many people would be there, but he believed it had been the largest crowd he had ever seen at Imola. Seeing that huge Ferrari flag at Tosa had brought back childhood memories of watching Michael Schumacher in action. It was truly been an unforgettable experience.