Ferrari factor Lewis Hamilton has ‘come to terms with’ identified

Martin Brundle believes Lewis Hamilton has made peace with a reality at Ferrari which may have been difficult for the British driver to grapple with.

Martin Brundle believes Lewis Hamilton has accepted he needs to “make the best” of his Ferrari, despite it not being race-winning machinery.

The former F1 driver highlighted how the 40-year-old managed to slice his way through the pack in the early stages at Monza, ultimately finishing the Italian Grand Prix in sixth.

Brundle suggested his “mindset adjustment” had allowed him to find peace with the SF-25 – and how formidable Charles Leclerc is proving to be.

He likened the Briton’s exploits at the Temple of Speed to the Hamilton of old, despite the Ferrari driver finding himself stuck behind former Mercedes team-mate George Russell for most of the afternoon.

It was an improved performance all-round for the seven-time F1 drivers’ champion, who qualified fifth before his Dutch Grand Prix grid penalty was applied.

Hamilton had endured a difficult spell before the summer break, and his race-ending crash in the Netherlands left him in need of a strong weekend in front of the Tifosi, which he duly delivered.

“Lewis Hamilton was carrying a five-place grid drop for speeding indiscretions going to the grid in Zandvoort, which frankly were a fair cop, and he would start 10th, but once again coming through the pack as he did at Silverstone and other races, we would witness Lewis driving as we remember from years previous,” Brundle reflected in his Sky Sports F1 column.

“All round, he looked more comfortable in the car, and seems to have had a mindset adjustment of making the best of what he has instead of being frustrated that he’s not got a race-winning car underneath him.”

The 66-year-old also feels that a more contented Hamilton has become increasingly comfortable with the strength of new team-mate Leclerc.

The Monegasque driver has had the edge over him all season, enjoying a small but consistent advantage as Hamilton continues to get settled at the Scuderia.

“He’s probably also come to terms with just how fast Charles Leclerc is,” Brundle added. “It was nice to observe Lewis looking happier.”