Lewis Hamilton was full of joy after securing a fourth-place finish at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in his first home race for Ferrari. Starting from 12th on the grid, Hamilton praised the car, strategy, and the passionate tifosi, describing the race atmosphere as “vintage” and reminiscent of watching Michael Schumacher at Imola in his youth.
He credited his calm communication with engineer Riccardo Adami and the team’s flawless execution for the strong result, expressing that with a few more laps, a podium might have been within reach.
The performance marked a significant step forward for Hamilton, who has faced challenges adjusting to his new team and car throughout the early part of the season.
His fourth-place finish, driven by aggressive but calculated racing, signaled growing confidence and harmony within the Ferrari setup. It was an emotional outing for the seven-time world champion, who relished the sight of the enthusiastic Italian fans and the iconic sea of red.
In contrast, Charles Leclerc struggled during the weekend, finishing sixth and voicing frustration over Ferrari’s lack of qualifying pace and a race marked by setbacks. After a tight battle with Alex Albon that drew stewards’ scrutiny, Leclerc defended his aggressive tactics, saying he was racing at the limit and had no regrets. Team principal Fred Vasseur praised the overall pace and strategy but admitted that poor starting positions hindered the team’s chances for a better overall result.
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