Lewis Hamilton finds form after Italian GP amid Ferrari challenges
Lewis Hamilton rediscovered some of his best form at Monza, delivering an encouraging performance for Ferrari in front of an electric home crowd.
Here, Sports News Blitz's Noah Ngcobo looks at how the Brit drew strength from the Tifosi and signalled a potential turning point in his season.
Hamilton shows resilience after recent struggles
Lewis Hamilton delivered a strong performance at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing sixth after starting from 10th on the grid following a five-place penalty carried over from the Dutch GP.
The seven-time world champion has faced a challenging season since joining Ferrari, struggling to adapt to the SF-25 after 12 years with Mercedes.
Despite this, Hamilton has shown a marked improvement in pace and confidence, closely matching team-mate Charles Leclerc in qualifying at both Zandvoort and Monza.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur expressed optimism about Hamilton’s form. He praised the 40-year-old for his determination and resilience, saying the Italian GP weekend marked a clear return to competitive performance.
Vasseur highlighted Hamilton’s improved mood and approach to races as a significant factor in his resurgence.
Tifosi support gives Hamilton a boost
The passionate Ferrari fans, the Tifosi, played a crucial role in energising Hamilton over the weekend.
Vasseur described their support in Milan before the race as "something very special" that gave Hamilton an extra boost.
The Italian GP marked Hamilton’s first appearance at Monza as a Ferrari driver, and the enthusiastic reception from fans appeared to lift his spirits across the weekend.
Vasseur noted that while Ferrari could not deliver a podium for the home crowd, the energy from the Tifosi was visible in Hamilton’s performance, particularly as he fought his way back through the field from P10 to finish just behind George Russell.
Hamilton himself acknowledged the motivation that the fans provided, calling the experience of racing under the Ferrari banner "unbelievable."
Race performance and reflections
Hamilton’s sixth-place finish marked his best result since a fourth-place at Silverstone earlier in the season, ending a two-race streak outside the points.
Despite the penalty and early setbacks, Hamilton maintained competitive pace from the first practice session to the end of the race, showing consistency in challenging conditions.
While Hamilton remains realistic about Ferrari’s current pace relative to Red Bull and McLaren, he acknowledged that opportunities for podiums exist with strong performances and strategic execution.
He expressed satisfaction with how in control he felt of the car at Monza, noting a solid launch and competitive positioning in the early laps.
Leclerc holds fourth as Ferrari faces challenges
Charles Leclerc started and finished fourth, demonstrating Ferrari’s potential when conditions align.
Although the team could not challenge Max Verstappen’s Red Bull or the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the podium, Leclerc provided fans with moments of excitement through wheel-to-wheel racing and consistent performance throughout the weekend.
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Positive momentum moving forward
Hamilton’s former Mercedes team-mate, Nico Rosberg, welcomed the improved energy and positivity from Hamilton, noting that this change in mindset could translate into stronger results in upcoming races.
Vasseur also emphasised that Hamilton’s competitive spirit and improved performance could lead to podium finishes in the final eight races of the season, offering hope for both the team and Ferrari supporters.
Hamilton’s return to form, boosted by the Tifosi and his own renewed confidence, provides a promising outlook for the Scuderia as they continue to navigate a season of intense competition.
The Italian GP may not have delivered a podium, but it showcased a Hamilton who is determined, focused, and ready to extract every possible advantage from the remainder of the season.
