Hamilton confirms Long-Term Ferrari Deal, Criticizes Stewarding Inconsistencies
Table of Contents
A multi-year contract with Ferrari already in place means lewis Hamilton doesn’t anticipate immediate contract negotiations, despite a challenging start to his tenure with the Italian racing team. The seven-time world champion addressed his future with Ferrari ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix, while also voicing concerns over recent officiating decisions that have impacted his performance.
Future secured with the Scuderia
Hamilton, who will turn 41 in january, emphatically stated his commitment to Ferrari extends beyond the current season. “I have a pretty long contract,” Hamilton said when questioned about potential new deal discussions. “Normally when you do a contract, it is the year before that you start to talk about it, so I am a little bit far from that point.” Ferrari announced Hamilton’s arrival last year with a “multi-year deal,” but the specific length of the agreement remains undisclosed. This confirmation offers stability amidst speculation about the driver’s long-term plans.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marked a critically important shift in the Formula 1 landscape. Why did he move? Hamilton cited a desire for a new challenge and a belief in Ferrari’s long-term potential. He left Mercedes, a team that had dominated the sport for nearly a decade, seeking to contribute to rebuilding Ferrari into a championship-winning force. Who was involved? The key players were Hamilton himself, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, and Mercedes’ leadership. The deal was negotiated over several months, culminating in a formal announcement in 2023.
On-Track Struggles and a Disappointing Season So Far
Since leaving Mercedes, Hamilton has yet to secure a podium finish. He currently trails teammate Charles Leclerc by 64 points in the world Championship standings. Despite arriving in Interlagos following his strongest qualifying performance for Ferrari at the Mexico city Grand Prix, a controversial penalty hampered his race result.
What happened in Mexico City? Hamilton received a 10-second penalty during the Mexico City Grand Prix for an incident at Turn 4, where he was judged to have gained an advantage by running wide while battling Max Verstappen. This penalty dropped him from contention for a podium finish. How did it end? Hamilton finished fifth, significantly impacting his championship standings. The incident sparked considerable debate and criticism of the stewards’ decision-making process.
stewards Under Fire: Calls for Transparency
Hamilton expressed frustration with the 10-second penalty assessed during the Mexico City race, stemming from an incident at Turn 4 where he was deemed to have gained an advantage over rival Max Verstappen after running wide. “There is not any clarity and that is part of the big issue – transparency and accountability and also that kind of secrecy as to how decisions are made,” Hamilton stated on Thursday.
He further emphasized the significant impact of these decisions, adding, “It is something that definitely needs to be tackled. I don’t know if they [the stewards] are aware of the weight of their decisions and that they steer careers and can decide results of the championship as we have seen in the past. So something needs to be done.” The driver’s comments highlight a growing concern within the sport regarding the consistency and clarity of stewarding decisions, and their potential to disproportionately influence championship outcomes.
