Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari switch raises questions as Jacques Villeneuve warns the Brit risks losing credibility after poor season start.
Villeneuve is raising questions about Lewis Hamilton’s mindset as he begins a new chapter with Ferrari. After a rocky start to the season, the former world champion sees a different version of Hamilton, one that, he suggests, may not be fully convincing anymore.
“You can hear it in his voice, Lewis isn’t happy,” Villeneuve told Vision4Sport. “Charles Leclerc is stepping up, and Hamilton’s comments reflect that. When you start apologizing like he has, like Lando Norris did, it’s a bad sign. It means you’re losing your edge.”
No Time at Ferrari
Villeneuve believes this shift in tone is damaging Hamilton’s image.
“You start to lose credibility. People begin to doubt your hunger. It starts to look like you’re just here to enjoy the ride. That’s not what Ferrari needs. They’re unpredictable, passionate, and volatile, you need fire to thrive there.”
“At Mercedes, he had time. At Ferrari, you don’t. You need to make an impact immediately. The sprint race in China looked like a spark, but nothing caught fire. There wasn’t enough dry grass around to keep it burning.”
Hamilton Faces Ferrari Reality
Still, Villeneuve credits Hamilton for not trying to replicate his Mercedes days.
“What matters is that Lewis came in with a fresh attitude, trying to adapt to a new family and new energy,” he said. “He didn’t bring the same mindset from Mercedes, where maybe he thought things would come easily just because of his talent. That doesn’t work at Ferrari, and that’s been a bit strange to watch.”
The Canadian believes the real test will come in the next few races in Europe.
“They haven’t had time to breathe. The calendar has been brutal. Lewis seems confused about why things aren’t clicking. Monaco will be the first real turning point. We’ll see what happens there.”
Piastri Becomes Golden Boy
Villeneuve also shared his view on the current title contenders, and he thinks Oscar Piastri might be enjoying a subtle advantage.
“Oscar doesn’t seem rattled by pressure. He’s got Mark Webber by his side, which is huge. Maybe not a father figure, but definitely a strong mentor. That dynamic is working well for him.”
He even suggested that Piastri may be getting the benefit of the doubt in close calls.
“He’s the golden boy right now. If something happens, he won’t be penalized as quickly as someone like Max Verstappen. That kind of perception can make a difference in a championship battle.”
Villeneuve compared it to the old Hamilton – Rosberg rivalry.
“Back then, if Rosberg made a move, he got a penalty. If Lewis did the same thing a week later, nothing happened. These subtle human biases exist, and right now, Piastri is on the right side of them.”
As for the title favorite, Villeneuve still believes in Lando Norris, if he can keep his focus.
“I still see Norris as the frontrunner for the drivers’ championship, if he holds up mentally. The next two or three races will reveal a lot about where he stands. Oscar is now on his level and only getting stronger.”
“It’s a real fight now. The big question is how Lando will react after losing the lead. Will he bounce back and return to last year’s form, or will he crumble under pressure? That’s the key. If he cracks, the title goes to Piastri.”
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