P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Damon Hill has backed Lewis Hamilton following a tough start to his Ferrari career
Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 world champion, has defended Lewis Hamilton’s slow start with Ferrari, acknowledging the difficulties of adjusting to a new team. Despite not achieving a podium finish in his first 13 races with Ferrari, Hamilton’s standout performance was in the China sprint race. At the Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton struggled, being eliminated in Q1 in both qualifying sessions. An insightful strategy during the race helped elevate Hamilton to a seventh-place finish, although unable to surpass Alex Albon of Williams. Hamilton’s current podium drought with Ferrari is unprecedented, with other drivers in Ferrari’s history also experiencing prolonged waits for their first podium. Hill noted the challenges that Hamilton faces in adapting to a new team, including the language barrier and the intricacies of the car. Additionally, Hamilton is shouldering additional responsibilities behind the scenes, which could be impacting his on-track performance. Despite the challenges, Hamilton will be aiming for a strong performance at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, a track where he has excelled in the past.
