Sebastian Vettel discusses the unique challenges Lewis Hamilton faces adapting to Ferrari, emphasizing patience and the importance of cultural adjustments.
Vettel, a four-time F1 World Champion, has emphasized the importance of allowing Lewis Hamilton the necessary time to adapt to Ferrari, acknowledging that this transition can’t happen overnight.
After finishing fifth in Bahrain, Hamilton spoke extensively about the lengthy adaptation process and the differences in driving for Ferrari after spending so many years at Mercedes. In Jeddah, the British driver delved even deeper into the subject.
Reflecting on the first four races of his former rival’s season, Vettel defended Hamilton, stating, “Joining Ferrari is undoubtedly a huge step in any driver’s career. It’s a major cultural shift, and right now, the focus is on the car – how it drives, the sensations it provides, and so on.”
“But adaptation goes beyond just driving. It also involves many aspects that happen off the track,” he added. “For example, the steering wheel – he’s definitely adjusted it to his preferences, but it’s not the same as what he was used to. These things take time to get used to, and it challenges your brain, which used to operate in a more automatic way. Naturally, it takes a little while to adjust.”
Hamilton’s main struggle has been in qualifying, which Vettel believes is completely normal. “Of course, that’s where you need to be at your best,” Vettel explained. “I know he has very high ambitions and expectations. Right now, he’s probably not satisfied with his level of competitiveness. That affects your mindset, but he’s obviously not the most successful driver of all time by chance.”
“He’s working, I believe, very hard to fix those issues and get back to the driving level he needs to reach to feel comfortable and competitive again.”
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Vettel: Hamilton’s Ferrari Challenge Needs Patience Vettel: Hamilton’s Ferrari Challenge Needs Patience
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