Follow us on Google Discover After his podium hopes were dashed in Mexico due to accruing a 10-second penalty, Lewis Hamilton has yet to record a top-three finish for the Prancing Horse.
Qualifying third and looking relatively racey in the first few laps of the Mexico City Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion looked like the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez would be the site of his first podium in Ferrari colours.
However, after failing to follow the race director’s instructions after a tussle with Max Verstappen, Hamilton was swiftly slapped with a time penalty that saw him fall down the order once the first round of pit stops took place.
The story of his maiden season at the Scuderia has been one that has been relatively disappointing when considering the hype that surrounded Hamilton’s move to Ferrari at the beginning of the new year.
However, former Ferrari reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez has explained why the campaign hasn’t been as bad as it has been made out to be.
Esteban Gutierrez thinks Lewis Hamilton’s debut season at Ferrari hasn’t been ‘as bad as it looks’
Speaking on a post-race episode of the F1 Nation podcast, the Mexican racing driver was asked about his thoughts on Hamilton’s recent progress at the iconic racing outfit, and if it is starting to feel like he is getting a handle on the SF-25.
The 34-year-old replied, “It seems like he felt more comfortable with the car somehow this weekend from his comments. Maybe he’s not going to be as happy right now, but certainly, I think it’s been a process.
“I was at Ferrari and I understand the differences of an English team towards an Italian team. I’m just going to say it straight. At Ferrari, there’s a lot of passion, but it’s a well-organised mess.
“Not to say anything wrong about them, I really love Ferrari. I mean, we all do. I think every driver’s dream is to be a Ferrari driver deep in our in our hearts. Winning with Ferrari has a much bigger challenge than winning with any other team.
“That’s why all the champions who have not been champions with Ferrari and try to come to Ferrari to be a champion, they struggle. It’s not easy.
“So, in my opinion, from that perspective, Lewis’ performance this year hasn’t been that bad as it looks. Hopefully he’ll be able to uh to use this year as an experience and do another step next year.”
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Will Lewis Hamilton make a step up in his second season with Ferrari in 2026?F1 fans criticise the FIA for their handling of penalties at the Mexican Grand Prix
Hamilton’s illegal incident during Sunday’s race in Mexico was one of many instances where drivers went off track and looked to have gained an advantage by the time they rejoined.
Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen took to the grass at the very first turn of the race, and received no punishment for the fact that they didn’t lose out on any positions in the process.
George Russell was vocal over the matter in his pre-race comments, noting that something has to change at the circuit in order for these things to be properly handled.
Due to the nature of the first corner at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, it is difficult for them to add a safe chicane within the run-off area that can offer a strong enough time-loss in order for drivers to be discouraged from overshooting their braking point.
F1 fans were furious at the lack of action taken against Verstappen for his ventures outside the white lines, and called for the governing body to be more consistent in their punishments that are handed out to infringing drivers.