Ferrari stood by Hamilton despite the controversy surrounding his retirement.

Ferrari stood by Hamilton despite the controversy surrounding his retirement.

      "It seems like he’s amplifying his feelings to attract attention."

      Lewis Hamilton's striking comments prior to the August break have sparked new speculation regarding his future, but reports indicate that Ferrari has limited options other than to retain the seven-time world champion. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 40-year-old, who referred to himself as "useless" in Hungary and challenged Ferrari to look for a replacement, is under contract for 2025 and 2026, with a possibility for 2027 that he alone can exercise. The Italian newspaper stated, "Ferrari will keep him, regardless of the situation."

      Some believe Hamilton’s statements were connected to a previous disclosure in which he provided the team with comprehensive documents detailing the changes he desires in both the car and the organization. Former F1 driver Christian Danner commented on the AvD (Automobilclub von Deutschland) podcast: "Hamilton criticizing himself and acting like he has forgotten how to drive seems a bit strategic to me. It feels like he’s exaggerating to get attention. I'm sure he did it intentionally. He doesn’t genuinely doubt his abilities; it's a message to Ferrari – 'if you think I’m out of my depth, you’ll be caught off guard.'"

      Former Bridgestone F1 engineer Kees van de Grint mentioned on Viaplay that Ferrari lacks realistic alternatives: "Who would even take his place?" the Dutchman stated. "Among the drivers they currently have under contract, Bearman and Giovinazzi are the only options. But do we really believe things would get better with them? The issue would still remain unresolved."

      Ex-McLaren and Williams race winner Juan Pablo Montoya expressed his understanding for Hamilton as he adjusts to Ferrari: "The engineers are beginning to understand, but they still don’t fully grasp how challenging these cars are to handle," he said. "I believe if Ferrari tailors the car more to Lewis’s driving style and he feels more at ease, it could pose greater challenges for Charles. So far, it hasn’t been too tough for him, but we’ll see."

      Veteran Italian F1 journalist Leo Turrini wrote in Quotidiano that Hamilton undervalued Charles Leclerc: "In my view, Lewis did underestimate Charles genuinely. He bought into the narrative that he wasn’t better than Sainz and other similar claims. When he realized his error, coinciding with a truly underwhelming car, his outlook soured. But it’s his responsibility to pull himself out of this situation."

      As for Leclerc, he is keeping a diplomatic stance: "Ultimately, we’re a team, and as much as I want to finish ahead of Lewis, I also want both of us to be successful, and for Ferrari to be successful."

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Ferrari stood by Hamilton despite the controversy surrounding his retirement.

Formula 1 | Lewis Hamilton's fiery comments ahead of the August break have sparked new rumors regarding his future - however, reports indicate that Ferrari has (...)