According to Simon Lazenby, lead presenter for Sky Sports F1, Lewis Hamilton has a crucial and influential ally within Scuderia Ferrari—someone ready to back him and support the vision of the seven-time Formula One World Champion as he adapts to his first season in red. Here is who it is and why he may prove vital.
Scuderia Ferrari is currently seeking answers after a mixed-performance weekend at Silverstone. According to Simon Lazenby, the Italian team should seriously consider Lewis Hamilton’s feedback in order to improve the current car—not only for the remainder of the 2025 Formula 1 season but also in preparation for the major regulation overhaul coming in 2026. And within the team, there could be an experienced and trusted figure willing to help Hamilton ensure his input is heard clearly.
On the day following this discussion, Ferrari is scheduled to hit the track for a filming day at the iconic Mugello Circuit in Tuscany. Although the event is limited to just 200 kilometres of running, the Maranello-based squad intends to use the opportunity not just for media content, but also to conduct valuable on-track tests. In particular, the team will evaluate a new upgrade package focused on changes to the rear suspension system. If the data collected proves encouraging, the updated components could be introduced as early as the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
Jock Clear: Hamilton’s Trusted Figure at Ferrari
During a recent episode of The F1 Show podcast, hosted by Simon Lazenby and featuring Damon Hill and David Croft, the discussion turned to Ferrari’s current form and Lewis Hamilton’s influence within the team.
Simon Lazenby pointed out a significant figure in the Ferrari structure who could step forward in support of Hamilton’s efforts to shape the car’s development: “I spoke with Jock Clear. Jock Clear has worked with Lewis [Hamilton] before—he worked with him at Mercedes, and he’s now working with him again at Ferrari. From a performance perspective, in terms of extracting the most from the package, Jock is vital. And if there’s one person shouting from the rooftops, ‘Listen to what Lewis has to say,’ it’s Jock Clear. Apparently, Lewis’s feedback is second to none. There’s a reason why he’s won seven World Championships. His technical feedback is simply exceptional.”
Jock Clear previously worked with Lewis Hamilton at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team between 2013 and 2014. He then moved to Ferrari in 2015, where he has remained ever since. His unique knowledge of Hamilton’s strengths and communication style could be pivotal as the Briton looks to shape the team’s technical direction going forward.
The Value of Lewis Hamilton’s Experience
For Lewis Hamilton, 2025 marks his debut season as a Scuderia Ferrari driver after spending 12 years with the Mercedes team. According to 1996 Formula One World Champion Damon Hill, Hamilton still needs time to fully adjust to the new environment, both technically and culturally. In The F1 Show podcast, Hill explained: “There’s just so much to learn when you move to a new team. After spending what, 12 seasons at Mercedes, there’s a lot of new ground to cover when you go somewhere else.”
Hill also emphasized that Hamilton’s extensive background across multiple teams could prove to be an asset in Ferrari’s ongoing development efforts: “I think they have a real chance to do something with Lewis [Hamilton], which I don’t think they could have with Charles [Leclerc], because Charles has never raced anywhere else. That’s the issue. Changing teams takes time, and experience matters.”
David Croft, Sky Sports F1 lead commentator, echoed those sentiments, stressing the need for Ferrari to take full advantage of Hamilton’s presence: “Ferrari needs to listen—otherwise, what’s the point of spending all that money to bring in someone like Lewis [Hamilton]?”
This shared view from insiders suggests that while Ferrari has secured one of the most accomplished drivers in Formula 1 history, the real test will be how effectively they integrate his experience, leadership, and technical input into their long-term project. And with a trusted voice like Jock Clear supporting him from within, Hamilton’s influence could prove more transformative than expected for the Scuderia.
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