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As Lewis Hamilton embarks on his new journey with Ferrari, it is evident that he approaches each race with optimism and a determination to progress, regardless of external perceptions. Undeterred by the challenges of adjusting to a new environment, the seven-time Formula One champion remains grounded in the understanding that evolution is a gradual process, particularly under the watchful eye of fans and critics alike.
This weekend marks the fifth race of the season in Saudi Arabia, where both Hamilton and Ferrari are hopeful of making significant strides towards reducing the gap to the dominant McLaren team.
From the outset, managing expectations around Hamilton’s inaugural season with Ferrari has been a formidable task. The iconic driver, renowned as one of the sport’s greats, has joined forces with a legendary team that has struggled to clinch a drivers’ title since 2007. This context undoubtedly adds to the weight of anticipation surrounding their collaboration.
Even prior to the inaugural race, Hamilton had urged a cautious perspective, fully aware of the complexities involved in transitioning to a new car, team dynamics, and strategies after enjoying an unparalleled 12-year tenure at Mercedes.
The initial rounds of the season have underscored the challenges in forging a new partnership, with both Hamilton and the Ferrari squad grappling with the realities of development and adaptation simultaneously. As a result of this multifaceted adjustment, the British driver has found his new relationship under keen scrutiny.
However, Hamilton is no stranger to navigating the spotlight and appears to handle the pressure with grace. At the Jeddah Corniche circuit, he expressed, “It’s to be expected, Ferrari is the greatest team in Formula One history. It’s that special. More stories are written about it, and while it hasn’t been smooth sailing, you can’t expect changes to happen overnight.”
This pragmatic viewpoint has underpinned Hamilton’s relationship with Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur. Following the past race in Bahrain, Vasseur emphasized, “You won’t replace 12 years of collaboration in two weeks or two races,” acknowledging the importance of allowing time for adaptation to take place.
Vasseur further commented on Hamilton’s wealth of experience, stating, “Lewis comes with his own 20 years of Formula 1 knowledge from various teams. It’s beneficial to have someone with such a vast perspective to aid our progress.”
For Hamilton, the challenge extends beyond team dynamics; he is also adapting to a car with unique handling characteristics, which requires recalibration of his driving style—one that was finely tuned to Mercedes. He felt some improvement in Bahrain, achieving his best finish of the season with a fifth-place result, and believes he is beginning to find his rhythm.
Nevertheless, he maintains a sense of realism. “It’s like we’re on a rollercoaster together, with ups and downs, but I am confident we will eventually reach our goals—it’s just a matter of time,” he remarked. He noted that both immediate and long-term changes are necessary to enhance performance.
While aspirations for a championship title may currently seem ambitious, with McLaren’s Lando Norris leading the standings and Hamilton significantly trailing in seventh place, the atmosphere within Ferrari remains positive and forward-looking. Vasseur is optimistic that they can close the gap to McLaren and contend for victories, believing that even a single win would hold substantial significance for Hamilton’s legacy.
The team aims to show progress in Saudi Arabia, having introduced a new floor upgrade during the Bahrain race designed to enhance performance in high-speed corners and address previous aerodynamic challenges. The Jeddah circuit will serve as a true test of these improvements, with its combination of swift corners and demanding hairpin turns.
In the opening practice session, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly topped the charts during what is typically unrepresentative daytime conditions for a night race, followed closely by Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Hamilton secured eighth place, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen struggled to find balance, finishing ninth.
Source
www.theguardian.com