Hamilton Responds to Critics After Ferrari Sprint Victory
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Synopsis
Lewis Hamilton's impressive win in the Sprint Race at the Chinese Grand Prix not only marks his first victory with Ferrari but also serves to silence the critics questioning his transition to the team. The seven-time champion delivered a commanding performance, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
Key Takeaways
- Hamilton secured his first win with Ferrari in Shanghai.
- He emphasizes the challenges of transitioning to a new team.
- Critics underestimated the difficulties he faced adapting to the SF-25.
- The victory boosts team morale as they aim for consistent performance.
- Hamilton calls for patience as Ferrari works towards future wins.
Shanghai, March 22 (NationPress) Lewis Hamilton achieved a remarkable win in the Sprint Race at the Chinese Grand Prix, marking his inaugural victory with Ferrari and dispelling doubts surrounding his transition to the Italian team.
The seven-time World Champion, known for his previous dominance at the Shanghai International Circuit with six Grand Prix wins, showcased an exceptional performance, finishing 6.889 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
This victory serves as a significant boost for Hamilton, who faced challenges in Australia, struggling to adapt to the SF-25. Following his disappointing performance in Melbourne, critics quickly questioned his ability to adjust to the new environment at Ferrari. However, Hamilton rebuffed these doubts, emphasizing the hurdles involved in switching teams.
“The first race was tough, and many people have underestimated how challenging it is to acclimatize to a new team, grasp communication, and all those factors,” Hamilton stated post-victory.
He addressed the skepticism surrounding his initial struggles with Ferrari, suggesting that those doubting him lacked understanding of what is required to adapt to a new car and atmosphere.
“The number of critics and individuals I’ve heard yapping along the way clearly don’t understand… perhaps because they lack experience or are simply unaware,” he added.
In contrast to Melbourne, where he appeared unsettled in the Ferrari, Hamilton looked much more comfortable in Shanghai. From the very first practice session, he felt a better synergy with the car, which resulted in a dominant Sprint performance. He commended his team for their efforts in helping him make the necessary adjustments to enhance performance.
“From Lap 1 here this weekend, I genuinely felt in control. We’ve done a fantastic job - engineers, mechanics - everyone has worked diligently to refine the car, and it felt exceptional today,” he remarked.
Hamilton got off to a strong start in the Sprint, effectively managing his tyres despite the challenges presented by Shanghai’s resurfaced track. The Briton acknowledged that the high grip levels on the new asphalt made tyre management tricky, but he successfully controlled the race from the front.
“I had a good start, and there’s so much grip on this new tarmac. It’s quite challenging to preserve these tyres, but I believe everyone faced similar struggles,” he explained.
Nonetheless, he urged both the team and fans to exercise patience, recognizing that Ferrari still has a considerable journey ahead before consistently competing for victories.
“I understand the Tifosi, the fans, and the team are eager to win. I know it means everything to them. But as I mentioned earlier, Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Hamilton stated. “One step at a time - we won’t get ahead of ourselves.”
Hamilton stressed that this is a long-term project and while the Sprint victory is a significant achievement, the focus remains on ongoing improvement.
“We will keep pushing. We will be diligent and stay focused. After this, we’ll return to our desks and concentrate on Qualifying this afternoon. It’s a long journey ahead. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so we must take our time.”
