P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton endured a painful opening season at Ferrari following a switch from Mercedes, where he enjoyed unprecedented championship success.
Former Ferrari performance engineer Jock Clear believes it would have been disrespectful for F1 if Lewis Hamilton had immediately won a championship with the Italian team. Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari ended his successful tenure with the Silver Arrows. Despite facing challenges in his first season with Ferrari, Hamilton, a seven-time champion, did not achieve a podium finish. Clear, who worked with Hamilton at both Ferrari and Mercedes, emphasized that adapting to a new environment takes time, highlighting the complexity of F1. He expressed confidence that Hamilton will rebound stronger in the upcoming season, following a difficult year in 2025. Hamilton, aiming for an eighth F1 title, is expected to leverage the regulation changes and his determination to succeed with Ferrari.
