Ferrari charged with ignoring Hamilton following 'dossiers'

      "His issue is the car’s performance - not his age."

      Lewis Hamilton's aspirations with Ferrari have become mired in uncertainty and skepticism, as analysts across Europe respond to his harsh self-critique following the Hungarian GP. After branding himself as "useless" and suggesting Ferrari should "get another driver," Hamilton revealed there’s "a lot happening in the background that's not great." The seven-time world champion’s public lament has ignited a media frenzy in both Italy and Germany.

      German publication Sport1 even proposed a conspiracy theory: that Ferrari discreetly demoted Hamilton after he provided management with internal reports proposing changes to the team and car, instead supporting Charles Leclerc, who secured pole position in Hungary. However, former F1 driver and commentator Marc Surer dismissed this notion, stating, "What would Ferrari gain from this? They would only harm themselves. Lewis needs to keep adjusting to the car, just as Leclerc does."

      Others were less sympathetic. Former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone joked: "The safety car is more likely to win a race than Hamilton ever becoming world champion again." Ralf Schumacher from Sky Deutschland remarked, "You can’t be driving in circles your entire life."

      Nevertheless, Franz Tost, the ex-F1 team principal and a close associate of Michael Schumacher’s family, rejected parallels to Schumacher’s return in 2010. "These are two entirely different situations. Michael had to acclimatize to a new F1 environment. Lewis did not. His concern is the car’s handling - not his age."

      La Gazzetta dello Sport gathered a range of reactions from Italian personalities. Jarno Trulli described Hamilton as "a mystery," noting, "He’s underwhelming in qualifying, slightly better in races, but never exceptional. This is not the Hamilton we know." Former Ferrari driver Ivan Capelli suggested Hamilton is "living a double life" - confident off the track yet disconnected in the car. "He’s lost the spark in his eyes," Capelli remarked. "His strength was always guiding the team through difficult times. Now, even that seems absent."

      Arturo Merzario, who drove for Ferrari in the 1970s, claimed the team never genuinely supported Hamilton. "Ninety percent of Ferrari insiders disagreed with the decision to sign him," he asserted. "It was a commercial choice. Lewis doesn’t feel appreciated, which dampens his motivation."

      Sky Italia commentator and GT driver Vicky Piria noted, "Lewis underestimated the challenge he would face. He joined a team not designed for him and lacking established relationships. Now he’s in despair, not apathy."

      Davide Valsecchi, the 2012 GP2 champion, remarked that Ferrari "won the winter" with Hamilton’s signing, but cautioned that the initial PR advantage is now diminishing: "I would have opted for a younger driver."

      Despite the challenges, many still see potential in Hamilton. Matteo Bobbi, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Giancarlo Minardi, and Emanuele Pirro all pointed to the 2026 regulation changes as a possible lifeline and dismissed age as a primary factor. "Lewis is still eager," Pirro stated. "However, he hasn’t yet found his comfort zone. He’s more sensitive than people realize - and that showed in Hungary."