P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Jacques Villeneuve thinks Lewis Hamilton was “over protected” at Mercedes – something that is costing him at Ferrari.
F1 legend Jacques Villeneuve believes Lewis Hamilton was “over protected” at Mercedes, causing him to struggle with Ferrari’s difficult start in the 2025 season. Hamilton attained six of his seven titles with Mercedes during a nine-year span. His final three seasons with Mercedes were challenging due to the team’s difficulties with ground effect rules. Opting for a new challenge, Hamilton surprised many by joining Ferrari in a bid to revitalize his F1 career. Despite high expectations, Hamilton has faced difficulties adapting to Ferrari’s SF-25, trailing behind teammate Charles Leclerc in several races. Villeneuve noted that Hamilton’s unfamiliarity with adversity, having been sheltered at Mercedes, may pose difficulties in his adjustment to Ferrari’s setbacks.
