Claire Williams, the former deputy team principal of Williams, has expressed confidence that Lewis Hamilton can still recover from his troubled first season at Ferrari. She insists that if anyone has the ability and resilience to overcome such a difficult start, it’s Hamilton.
Williams explained that Ferrari operates in a very different manner compared to Mercedes, and even a driver with Hamilton’s vast experience needs time to fully adapt. She believes the adjustment period is often underestimated, even for the sport’s greatest talents.
Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari ended a hugely successful 12-year partnership that produced six world titles for him and eight constructors’ championships for the team. Expectations were high when he arrived at Maranello, but the dream start never materialised.
Instead, the 40-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign, sitting sixth in the championship with 148 points. He has yet to claim a race win or even a podium, and he trails teammate Charles Leclerc by 66 points — a gap that illustrates how tough the transition has been.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Williams admitted that Hamilton’s struggles did surprise her to an extent, but she stressed that people often overlook how challenging switching teams can be. She remains hopeful that Hamilton will eventually make Ferrari work and return to form.
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