Formula 1: “Chaos” at Ferrari – but Hamilton doesn’t think of quitting

Wild speculation about a quick career end, a terrifyingly stubborn ferrari and rumors about the team leader’s outsourcing-in the Formula 1 life of Lewis Hamilton there is currently enough conversation. After a disappointing start at Scuderia, the record world champion longs for success. And actually there is hardly a better place for this than Montreal, where he celebrated his first Grand Prix victory 18 years ago and won as often as only Michael Schumacher.

But before the 40-year-old got into the car for the first time in Canada, he urgently had to clarify something. “To everyone who writes stories that I am considering racing: I just started at Ferrari,” said Hamilton clearly. Media reports from Italy that the British will soon end due to frustration are fictitious. “I am here for several years, I am here in the long term,” he said: “There are no doubt. To certain people: stop thinking of such stories!”

The mood at Ferrari is tense, again the proud Italians have nothing to do with the allocation of the World Cup title. And as usual, a culprit is sought. This is not the Hamilton, which is only hired by Mercedes, with great hopes and for a lavish salary package of allegedly up to 99 million euros per year, but team boss Frédéric Vasseur (57). Italian media report that the Frenchman should be replaced.

Ferrari’s deficit in the constructors’ ranking is almost 200 points on leaders McLaren. Hamilton as a World Cup sixth and team-mate Charles Leclerc as fifth is far behind the leading Oscar Piatri, this season there will be nothing with the first driver title since 2007. “I am fully behind Fred”, said Hamilton despite Trüber: “He is the main reason why I came to Ferrari. I am very happy to work with him.”

Ex-driver Sainz: “Media are looking for a culprit”

The Monegasse Leclerc was similar to in the paddock in Quebec. “I have no idea where it comes from. So I prefer to ignore it,” said the former vice world champion. The hustle and bustle at Scuderia is one of the dominant topics before the Grand Prix on Sunday (8:00 p.m./Sky and RTL). “It is as always,” said ex-Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who has been driving for Williams since the beginning of the year: “The moment when Ferrari is not running, the media are looking for a guilty and the chaos begins.”

In fact, it is rarely calm with Scuderia. This is also due to the high expectations that were consistently not met since Kimi Raikkonen’s last title win 18 years ago. “Most people have no idea what happens to Ferrari behind the scenes,” said Hamilton, who at least celebrated a surprising sprint success in China. Otherwise, the 105-time Grand Prix winner often had to struggle with his hard-to-drive company vehicle. Most recently in Spain, he reported that he has never been in a car that had felt so bad on the slopes.

The problem for this was found, said Hamilton. He shouldn’t say much more about the reasons. The hope is great that Canada will be going uphill again. “A victory is currently unrealistic on paper. But another podium will be a realistic goal,” said stable rival Leclerc.

It is too early for despair

After half a year at Ferrari, Hamilton knows that – if at all – it will only go forward slowly, patience and a lot of work. There is no reason to regret his change: “It looks worse from the outside than it is. A good weekend would certainly help me, but I don’t have the feeling that I need it desperately.”

Hamilton is still considering buying a property near the legendary Ferrari factory in Maranello. “The more I see Italy, the more I fall in love. They are actually romantic feelings when you are in Italy,” said Hamilton, who is currently celebrating its success primarily away from the race track. He just spoke to the Prime Minister in London about educational policy and started new campaigns with large partners. “I have a lot of business projects that are going really well,” said Hamilton: “I am working hard to ensure that my results on the track also fit again.”