ScuderiaLeo wrote: ↑10 Nov 2025, 17:42
While he's made more mistakes than Leclerc and been generally performing poorer, was Elkann or anyone really expecting Hamilton to beat Leclerc? Anyone who thought that was severely underrating Leclerc's abilities.
Leclerc isn't being underrated. Hamilton was simply expected to do more as a 7x WDC who claimed he is not done and can win an 8th title. He won't do anything driving like this. To his credit, Hamilton had an outstanding season in 2023, but he hasn't been the same driver since then. He's far worse. Leclerc is fortunate that Hamilton has declined heavily because now if the car is good, Hamilton no longer has the powers to fight Leclerc (except if it rains).
ScuderiaLeo wrote: ↑10 Nov 2025, 17:42
From Zandvoort to now he has 39 points and Leclerc has 63, that would be slightly closer if things in Mexico had gone differently. Actually, Hamilton has brought more points to the team than Antonelli has relative to Russell's results since Zandvoort, and everyone has been talking about how good Antonelli has been recently. 61% of Leclerc's points is hardly a gap large enough to warrant Elkann's comment.
Bad faith argument. Antonelli is a 19-year-old rookie.
ScuderiaLeo wrote: ↑10 Nov 2025, 17:42
Like Emag said, even if Hamilton has underperformed across the season, he is not the main reason for the team's failure compared to last season. The car and communication have been far more impactful to their final points total than Hamilton being a few positions behind Leclerc, because these are both drivers who we know can compete for wins if given the opportunity, and they haven't been given the opportunity.
Elkann hasn't blamed Hamilton for the teams failure to win the titles. He is attempting to point out that they've recently improved the car (judging Leclerc's podium streak) and therefore Hamilton is probably costing them P2 in the WCC due to his current form.
It doesn't turn.