Helmut Marko Criticizes Lewis Hamilton’s E…read more.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has voiced strong criticism of Lewis Hamilton’s performances since his much-publicized move to Ferrari, questioning both his focus and his impact on the Italian team’s progress in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
In a recent interview with Austrian media, Marko said he expected more from the seven-time world champion after leaving Mercedes. “Ferrari believed that signing Hamilton would immediately make them a title contender,” Marko remarked. “But so far, we haven’t seen the results. He’s brought experience and attention to the team, but the performances on track have not matched the expectations.”
Hamilton joined Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season in a landmark deal that ended his long and successful partnership with Mercedes. His arrival was seen as a turning point for Ferrari, with hopes that his experience could help return the team to championship-winning form. However, early results have been inconsistent, with Hamilton and Ferrari still trying to find the right balance with the SF-25 car.
Marko, known for his straightforward opinions, suggested that Hamilton might be distracted by off-track commitments. “He’s a global superstar, and sometimes it looks like the focus is divided,” Marko said. “Formula 1 today requires total dedication every detail matters. Verstappen, for example, is completely focused on performance. That’s what separates the top drivers right now.”
The remarks quickly drew reactions from across the F1 community. Supporters of Hamilton pointed out that the British driver has shown steady progress with Ferrari, often extracting strong results despite reliability issues and strategy errors. Others acknowledged that the adaptation period was always expected, given how different Ferrari’s systems are compared to Mercedes.
Ferrari insiders have reportedly dismissed Marko’s comments as “unnecessary,” emphasizing that Hamilton’s presence has already had a positive influence on the team’s development. Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur recently praised Hamilton’s leadership, saying, “Lewis has brought a calm and professional approach to the garage. He’s helping us push in the right direction and motivate the entire team.”
Hamilton himself has not directly responded to Marko’s remarks but has repeatedly stated that he remains fully committed to helping Ferrari return to the top of Formula 1. In recent races, his performances have shown signs of improvement, with several top-five finishes and strong qualifying runs.
Marko’s comments continue a long-running theme in Formula 1, where rival figures use media attention to apply pressure or provoke responses from their competitors. As the season continues, Hamilton will have an opportunity to answer those criticisms on the track something he has done successfully many times throughout his career.
With Ferrari still refining their car and Hamilton settling into his new environment, the next few races may determine how quickly this partnership can yield results. Regardless of Marko’s opinion, Hamilton’s determination to succeed in red remains as strong as ever.
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