Former Ferrari driver Arturo Merzario reflects on Lewis Hamilton‘s first half of the season with the Scuderia. Despite the current form crisis – Hamilton even called himself ‘useless’ during the race weekend in Hungary – Merzario has confidence in a positive outcome of the Brit’s Ferrari adventure. However, he emphasizes that there was initially little enthusiasm for his arrival in Maranello; the transfer was mainly seen as a commercial stunt.
“It’s not over yet,” Merzario told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “He’s just waiting for the right opportunity. He only takes risks when it’s really necessary, not when he’s fighting for an eighth place.” If Hamilton decides to leave Ferrari, Merzario expects other teams will be eager to bring him in. “He could easily find a place elsewhere,” said the Italian. “He’s not Charles Leclerc – who still has to prove he can become a champion.”
Commercial Stunt
Merzario is less positive about the transfer itself. “If you ask me, that transfer was purely a commercial move,” he stated. “Ninety percent of the staff didn’t want him, at least as far as I know.” For now, according to him, Hamilton still has to prove himself within Ferrari. Apart from a single sprint victory, the seven-time world champion has made little impression this season, and in Hungary, he seemed particularly upset.
However, Merzario downplays Hamilton’s harsh statements. “I think those outbursts were partly ironic,” he said. At the same time, he understands the frustration: “He feels crushed by Ferrari. His position is not what a seven-time world champion would imagine.”
