Ex-F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez has defended Lewis Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari, claiming it “hasn’t been as unhealthy because it seems”.
Hamilton has but to complete on the rostrum for Ferrari throughout his first season with the workforce.
This podium drought means Hamilton now holds the file for many races for Ferrari and not using a maiden top-three end.
Hamilton was on the improper facet of luck in Mexico Metropolis.
Regardless of making begin, he misplaced out to teammate Charles Leclerc on the opening lap of the race.
This was as a result of Leclerc minimize the primary nook to get forward however wasn’t penalised by the stewards.
Hamilton was then concerned in a few incidents with Max Verstappen, who tried an aggressive Flip 1 lunge.
Hamilton acquired a 10-second penalty for a separate incident later within the lap, the place he minimize the monitor at Flip 4 however stayed forward of the Crimson Bull driver.
This ruined Hamilton’s race and left him ending a disappointing eighth.
Conversely, teammate Leclerc completed second, scoring Ferrari’s seventh podium of the 12 months.
Whereas Hamilton’s podium drought has continued, his general efficiency has improved for the reason that summer time break.
On common, Hamilton has been roughly underneath a tenth off Leclerc’s tempo in qualifying.
Hamilton nonetheless must make progress on race day, significantly with execution.
“It’s been a course of” for Hamilton
Hamilton’s focus has inevitably been on subsequent 12 months and the brand new 2026 F1 laws.
Gutierrez, who raced for Sauber and Haas throughout his F1 profession, sees indicators of encouragement for Hamilton.
“It looks as if he felt extra comfy with the automotive in some way this weekend from his feedback. Perhaps he’s not going to be as pleased proper now, however actually, I believe it’s been a course of,” Gutierrez mentioned on the F1 Nation Podcast.
“I used to be at Ferrari and I perceive the variations of an English workforce in direction of an Italian workforce. I’m simply going to say it straight. At Ferrari, there’s lots of ardour, however it’s a well-organised mess.
“To not say something improper about them, I actually love Ferrari. I imply, all of us do. I believe each driver’s dream is to be a Ferrari driver deep in our hearts. Profitable with Ferrari has a a lot greater problem than profitable with every other workforce.
“That’s why all of the champions who haven’t been champions with Ferrari and attempt to come to Ferrari to be a champion, they wrestle. It’s not straightforward.
“So, for my part, from that perspective, Lewis’ efficiency this 12 months hasn’t been that unhealthy because it seems. Hopefully he’ll be capable to use this 12 months as an expertise and do one other step subsequent 12 months.”
