The difficulties faced by Lewis Hamilton in his first season as a Ferrari driver are not going unnoticed at this stage of the championship. The British seven-time world champion has endured a turbulent adaptation period at Maranello, and the debate around his performances is growing more intense.
Among those who have commented on Lewis Hamilton’s challenging start with the Scuderia is Francesco Cigarini, a former Ferrari mechanic with first-hand experience of life inside the team. Cigarini analysed Hamilton’s recent statements, particularly when the driver described himself as feeling “useless,” and explained what he believes the British driver meant by those words. He also outlined how Ferrari should react to the clear disparity that currently exists between its two drivers.
Although Charles Leclerc has not been consistently competitive himself this season, the direct comparison between the Monegasque and his new team-mate has placed Hamilton in an uncomfortable spotlight, with the number 44 often appearing overshadowed.
“Obviously Lewis is not useless,” Cigarini stressed in a video posted on his social media channels. The former Ferrari mechanic then elaborated on what Hamilton was trying to convey. “He means that he feels useless with regard to the path the team is currently taking, compared to the direction he would like to ‘impose’ on the team.”
This interpretation mirrors the one offered by former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who recently suggested that the real problem for Hamilton is that he does not feel listened to within the Ferrari camp.
Reflecting further, Francesco Cigarini argued that Ferrari cannot afford to disregard the immense experience Lewis Hamilton brings from his time at McLaren and Mercedes, where he achieved extraordinary success. “The journey to becoming a winning team with a winning car will probably be longer, and that is what scares people,” he explained, underlining that Hamilton’s know-how remains a vital asset in this process.
How should Ferrari behave in this situation?
When a team has a driver with seven world championships to his name, Francesco Cigarini believes it is essential to consider his feedback carefully. “If they follow the suggestions of a driver whose driving style is slightly different from Charles Leclerc’s, it could create a synergy that leads to a faster and more manageable car. In that case, both drivers would be able to exploit its potential to 110 percent.”
Speaking to Sky Sport, Francesco Cigarini delved deeper into the differences in driving style between the two Ferrari drivers. He highlighted how Charles Leclerc has previously managed to put other team-mates under pressure, first Sebastian Vettel and now Lewis Hamilton.
“Leclerc prefers a car with a very precise setup, with a rear end that is extremely loose and requires a strong sense of feeling to control. When Sebastian Vettel tried to adapt to that setup, he ended up looking like a rookie. I believe the same thing is happening with Hamilton now.”
Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation challenge is therefore not simply about speed but also about style. If Ferrari can find a way to balance the preferences of both drivers, it could unlock a car that allows each to perform at their best. For now, though, the British champion continues to face one of the toughest chapters of his illustrious Formula 1 career.
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