Montoya deals blow to Ferrari over Hamilton situation
John Elkann with Fred Vasseur - Photo: Race Pictures
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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.
Lewis Hamilton sparked intrigue over his Ferrari future with cryptic comments suggesting problems “in the background” at Maranello, and former F1 race winner Juan Pablo Montoya claimed the team could be growing tired of the seven-time champion’s outspoken criticism.
Speaking after the Hungarian Grand Prix to media like GPblog, Hamilton hinted that his Ferrari chapter may already be facing turbulence.
“There’s a lot going on in the background that’s not great,” he admitted.
Asked about the remainder of his season, Hamilton even said that he would “hopefully” be back for the Dutch Grand Prix, suggesting there was a chance he wouldn't be.
He then added defiantly: “The fight’s not over – don’t count me out.”
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The 40-year-old had previously stressed his determination to make his Ferrari switch work, telling media including this website at Spa that he had submitted “documents” suggesting changes to both the team and the car.
Lewis Hamilton in Hungary
Yet Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur sounded words of caution.
In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, he suggested Hamilton sometimes takes his emotionality too far.
“He sometimes exaggerates the problems he sees in the car,” Vasseur said, adding that his “extreme” reactions in public risk making matters worse and that Hamilton is “too hard” on both himself and the team.
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Ferrari annoyed with 'whining' Hamilton, 'they only want him for his name'
Montoya, a former F1 driver for Williams and McLaren who scored seven F1 victories between 2001 and 2006, believes the diverging comments are a sign of strain.
Speaking to a gambling platform, he argued Ferrari may have already grown tired of Hamilton’s approach.
“My point of view of what he is saying is that Ferrari are not really paying attention to him and they just want him there for his name.
"I think he’s pushing and maybe people are getting annoyed at how hard he’s pushing and maybe getting tired of what they see as his whining.”
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Montoya added that Hamilton cannot carry the burden alone: “He is trying to move the world by himself.
"And I think he needs more people in his corner to be able to get more done.”
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