Ferrari scandal surrounding Lewis Hamilton: “Best questions?” / System 1

Everything happened very quickly on February 1, 2024: Ferrari confirmed that Lewis Hamilton would race in red from 2025. A big sensation, even before the first car of 2024 started in winter testing.

My first thought at the time was: “I would never have thought that this would happen in the autumn of Hamilton’s career.”

My second: “This is good news for Formula 1.”

My third: “Now Lewis will not only have to answer questions about Mercedes for a year, but he will also be constantly bothering about Ferrari.”

And that’s what happened after the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

As a reminder: The Mercedes team, professionals through and through, organizes a round with team boss Toto Wolff and also with the drivers after the World Championship race.

Over the years, Hamilton has shone with endless resilience, even when faced with many silly or aggressive questions. Lewis provides a composed and well-grounded answer.

But even the 39-year-old Englishman’s patience can break in rare situations, such as after his narrow ninth place in Japan.

After a strategically unlucky race with questionable tire choice and against a moderately competitive base for the Mercedes W15 model, Hamilton was asked if he was not filled with envy due to Ferrari’s good performance.

“Don’t you have any better questions?” was Hamilton’s reaction before leaving the lap.

The Brit’s thin-skinned nature is understandable: after four races he has just ten points to his name.

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round
outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0