Unbelievable : shockwave across fans as Lewis Hamilton truth ‘people don’t like to hear’ bluntly delivered by ex-F1 star…..full details
“But compared to Leclerc, he’s currently behind – especially in qualifying.
“And of course, even if some people don’t like to hear that now: He’s no longer the youngest. If you compare him with Hamilton five or ten years ago, you can see the differences.”
At that point, Heidfeld was asked if any similarities at all can be spotted between Hamilton at Ferrari and Michael Schumacher at Mercedes.
Schumacher retired after the 2006 campaign as a seven-time World Champion and Ferrari/F1 icon, but returned in 2010 with Mercedes – also now in his 40s – for what proved to be an underwhelming three-season stint before his second and final retirement from the sport.
He was replaced at Mercedes by Hamilton, who with the Silver Arrows, won six World titles to equal Schumacher’s record, while surpassing the legendary German for most grand prix wins with a current tally of 105.
“Not quite,” Heidfeld replied on the idea of Hamilton’s situation being comparable with Schumacher’s comeback with Mercedes. “Michael was out for several years, whereas Lewis drove through.”
However, be that as it may, Heidfeld adds: “But it shows: After many years in the same environment, changing teams is difficult. Lewis was perfectly integrated at Mercedes – now he has to get used to a new car.
“And the older you get, the harder it is to make a fresh start.”
After a season-best grand prix result of P4 in Imola, Hamilton spoke of progress being made going into the Monaco Grand Prix.
In a fresh update after the race, he suggested said progress has slowed, but was not too disappointed in his one-lap performance.
Leclerc narrowly missed out on pole at his home race to Lando Norris, while Hamilton qualified P4, but started seventh due to a grid drop for impeding Max Verstappen. He recovered to P5 at the chequered flag.
Last week was good, this week’s not been so great, as you can see,” Hamilton told the media, including PlanetF1.com, following the Monaco GP.
“But performance-wise, qualifying fourth was not bad. I’m hoping for a better race weekend next week.”
And that race weekend in question is the Spanish Grand Prix, which carries special intrigue for the fact that a new FIA Technical Directive will come into force for the first time, imposing stricter flexibility tests on the front wings.