Hamilton backs Ferrari as pressure increases on Vasseur.

      Lewis Hamilton has responded to "media headlines" regarding Ferrari’s declining performance, asserting that he still has faith the struggling Italian team can bounce back. Following another challenging weekend in Singapore, where he faced a penalty for driving off-track due to brake failure and criticism from Fernando Alonso, the seven-time world champion shared a lengthy message with his Instagram followers.

      "The media headlines portray only one narrative - one where we don’t quite get it right, or where things don't go in our favor," he expressed. "Yet, I am concentrating on the other narrative - how this team reacts when faced with difficulties, how we rise up and continue pushing forward."

      Hamilton mentioned he remains "really proud" of Ferrari despite their challenges. However, teammate Charles Leclerc acknowledged that morale is being tested. "Right now, Lewis and I feel like bystanders," he admitted. "We can’t extract more from this car. You come in with high expectations, but when progress isn’t visible, it can be draining; however, it doesn’t demotivate me - it fuels my desire to change this situation."

      Nevertheless, the Italian media is growing impatient. Veteran columnist Leo Turrini commented in Quotidiano, "This Ferrari not only falls short of its legacy - the most concerning aspect is the absence of a turning point. Hamilton and Leclerc's frustration is a troubling indication. F1 has never enjoyed such popularity, yet the most renowned brand in the world is fading into the background. This can’t continue indefinitely."

      Team principal Frederic Vasseur conceded in Blick, "We find ourselves suddenly one step behind our competitors. The results are lacking, and the errors are accumulating. We need to enhance our performance in every area."

      Luigi Perna, a prominent writer for La Gazzetta dello Sport, emphasized the extent of Ferrari’s decline: "Eighteen races without a podium - a record low for Hamilton. The team hasn’t triumphed in nearly a year, and its 22-race drought is one of the longest in Ferrari’s history."

      Former Benetton F1 chairman Alessandro Benetton remarked that Ferrari’s resurgence hinges on regaining leadership and motivation. "Winning teams typically begin with a champion who inspires the organization," he stated in Corriere dello Sport. "That’s what Ferrari needs once more."

      Jenson Button, Hamilton’s former teammate at McLaren, cautioned, "With the new regulations, we will either witness the best version of Lewis or see someone who decides to retire."