Hill to Hamilton: '2021, a big dissapointment, but 2025 was just a choker'
Photo: Race Pictures
A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
Former F1 champion, Damon Hill, believes 2025 has cemented Charles Leclerc's status as a potential world champion, whereas his Ferrari teammate, Lewis Hamilton, had "a choker" of a year.
it’s not been a season that he will look back on. It might even be worse than 2021 for him.- Damon Hill.
Photo: RacePictures
Leclerc was the only Ferrari driver to stand on the podium across the entirety of the Formula One season, with Hamilton seeing out his first-ever campaign without a single rostrum finish.
Justin Bell, renowned motorsport commentator and interviewer and host of the Drive to Wynn podcast, weighed in on Leclerc's 'bullish' F1 2025 performance.
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“I think we do have to give credit to Leclerc," Bell said of Leclerc. “I think Charles has also got to the end of the year and just thrown everything at it.
“I think when the car was quick, he looked bullish. And I think at least he ended with a bit of a high note, which is important, I imagine, in Maranello.”
Hill sees Leclerc as a potential champion, whilst Hamilton's 2025 was a 'choker'
Hill, agreeing with Bell's comments, upped the ante by stating Leclerc's year-round performance set him apart as a potential world champion.
“Yeah, I don’t think anyone can look at what Charles has done and not conclude that he’s an extremely fast racing driver and got the potential to become a world champion. They just need to give him the car," Hill added.
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The 1996 F1 champion then turned his attention to Hamilton, and while he stated his fellow Briton had a better season finale than his Ferrari teammate, driving from P16 to P8, ultimately, Hamilton's season had been one to forget quickly.
"I think Lewis did have a better race [in Abu Dhabi]," Hill continued.
“I mean, he got up into the points, but it’s not been a season that he will look back on. It might even be worse than 2021 for him.
“I mean, the disappointment was massive then, but this season has been really a choker for him,” Hill concluded.
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