Ferrari icon criticises Hamilton after Monza performance – Lewis Hamilton’s debut at Monza in Ferrari colours failed to deliver the dramatic storyline that many had anticipated. Instead, the seven-time world champion had muted results and was criticised by a former Ferrari stalwart.
Hamilton arrived in Monza with cautious optimism. Practice sessions suggested that the Ferrari might have enough pace to contend for a strong result, but these hopes were quickly dashed by circumstances beyond his control. A grid penalty carried over from the Zandvoort round meant he had to start in tenth place, which made a podium finish at Ferrari’s home race seem unlikely.
Despite showing flashes of competitiveness, Hamilton could do no better than sixth place. In contrast, his teammate Charles Leclerc once again demonstrated greater consistency, guiding his car to fourth place and emphasising his current superiority within the Ferrari team. This reinforced a recurring theme of the 2025 season: while Hamilton’s reputation ensures attention, Leclerc continues to deliver the results.
Alesi takes issue with qualifying.
The outcome of the race was not the only topic of conversation. Former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi, who competed for the Scuderia between 1991 and 1995, criticised Hamilton’s conduct during qualifying.
Writing in his Corriere della Sera column, Alesi stated: “I did not like Hamilton’s behaviour. He could have, and perhaps should have, helped Leclerc during qualifying.’
The Frenchman’s argument centred on Hamilton’s grid penalty. With his starting position already compromised, the Englishman’s qualifying performance carried little significance. Alesi suggested that Hamilton should have given Leclerc a slipstream during Q3, which could have improved the Monegasque’s lap time and boosted Ferrari’s overall position.
Hamilton defended his stance
Hamilton addressed the criticism after the race.
“That’s not something I’ve ever done in my previous teams,” he remarked. “Ultimately, it potentially means sacrificing one driver. I already had the penalty. From a championship perspective, I needed to start as far forward as possible.”
His comments highlighted his reluctance to adopt a supporting role, even when his own position was effectively set. His focus remained on limiting the damage to his standing, rather than conceding track advantage to his team-mate.
Alesi had expected different behaviour
For Alesi, the explanation did not sit comfortably. He argued that Hamilton’s first Monza outing in red, combined with Ferrari’s narrative for the season and the passionate home crowd, demanded a different approach.
“Given the season and his first encounter with the Italian fans, one would have expected different behaviour from Lewis,” said the 61-year-old.
Nevertheless, Alesi acknowledged that even an improved qualifying effort might not have changed the ultimate outcome of the race. McLaren’s pace was unbeatable, and Max Verstappen led the way once again. Regardless of starting position, Ferrari’s challenge was insufficient to contest for victory.
Ferrari breaking Hamilton’s record
Season standings and implications
Leclerc’s fourth place and Hamilton’s sixth secured Ferrari valuable points, allowing the Scuderia to remain second in the Constructors’ Championship. However, the gap to McLaren is already unbridgeable. The Woking outfit’s dominance has left its rivals, including Ferrari, fighting merely for the best of the rest.
Meanwhile, Hamilton sits only sixth in the Drivers’ Championship. His transition to life at Ferrari has been less seamless than many supporters had hoped. While he still shows flashes of speed, his inability to match Leclerc consistently has raised questions about how the dynamic between the two drivers will evolve.
The Monza weekend demonstrated that Leclerc currently has the upper hand in terms of Ferrari’s on-track competitiveness.
Ferrari’s internal balance
The matter of inter-team cooperation has long been a delicate issue in Formula 1. Teams occasionally expect one driver to help another, particularly when penalties or strategic compromises reduce the prospects of one car. Alesi’s criticism reflected a traditional Ferrari view: the team’s collective interest should come first, even if that means an individual driver must concede.
However, Hamilton built much of his career on prioritising personal results. At Mercedes, he enjoyed a status that usually allowed him to fight for wins without yielding, thanks to the team’s competitive strength. The suggestion that he should act as a supporting figure therefore appears to go against his instincts as a champion.
Doneicali proved wrong by Italian GP
Looking ahead
While Ferrari’s management has not publicly commented on Alesi’s remarks, the episode adds another layer to the already complex narrative surrounding Hamilton’s debut season with the Scuderia. Expectations remain high, yet the balance of power within the team appears firmly in Leclerc’s favour.
For Hamilton, the challenge is twofold. Firstly, he must find a way to close the performance gap with his team-mate. On the other hand, he must navigate the cultural and emotional landscape of Ferrari, where every decision is scrutinised by fans and former drivers alike.
Monza 2025 was intended as a celebration of Ferrari’s partnership with one of the sport’s greatest names. Instead, it became a further reminder of McLaren’s dominance and even more so Max Verstappen’s brilliance, with Hamilton being overshadowed once again. Jean Alesi’s candid comments ensured that the off-track debate matched the intensity of the on-track action.
While Hamilton left with points, arguably questions also lingered about his approach and commitment to team objectives.
MORE F1 NEWS – Schumacher: Verstappen bombshell coming
Although Max Verstappen’s immediate future remains tied to Red Bull Racing, speculation over what comes next continues to gather pace. Former racing driver and current pundit Ralf Schumacher has now joined the debate, suggesting that Ferrari could be a good fit for the reigning world champion when the time comes for a change of team.
Having visited Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Schumacher believes that Verstappen’s profile, temperament and personal circumstances could align with what the Scuderia requires. He made these remarks after witnessing Ferrari at their home event in Monza and watching Verstappen dominate the race on television immediately afterwards.
Verstappen’s performance on Monza’s fast straights was commanding once again, with his qualifying pace setting the tone before he converted it into victory. During the post-race celebrations, Schumacher noted how warmly the Italian crowd appeared to embrace the Red Bull driver, a gesture that raised questions over whether the Tifosi could genuinely imagine Verstappen in a red Ferrari one day…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
Alex Stanton is a Formula 1 journalist at TJ13 with a focus on the financial and commercial dynamics that underpin the sport. Alex contributes reporting and analysis on team ownership structures, sponsorship trends, and the evolving business model of Formula 1.
At TJ13, Alex covers topics including manufacturer investment, cost cap implications, and the strategic direction of teams navigating an increasingly complex financial environment. Alex’s work often examines how commercial decisions translate into on-track performance and long-term competitiveness.
With a strong interest in the intersection of sport and business, Alex provides context around Formula 1’s global growth, including media rights, expansion markets, and manufacturer influence.
Alex’s reporting aims to explain the financial realities behind headline stories, helping readers understand how money, governance, and strategy shape the competitive order in Formula 1.
