Ted Kravitz applauds embattled Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton for ‘one of the lines of the day’ in Imola interview

Lewis Hamilton will want to find performance this weekend as Ferrari head to their first home Grand Prix in 2025 at Imola.

The seven-time champion experienced driving in Italy in the famous red colours during pre-season testing, when he drove the SF-23 at the Fiorano circuit in January. Now, he will race in front of the Tifosi in full voice as they cheer on Ferrari at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The vibes around Hamilton and the team over the winter are significantly different in the present day. Ferrari fans demanded the championship for their new signing as optimism was at an all-time high.

But after six races, those title chances may already be over as Hamilton is sitting seventh in the standings, 90 points behind leader Oscar Piastri. Grabbing two podiums in Sprint races, including a win in Shanghai, the Brit has not finished higher than fifth on Sunday.

The ‘morale is low’ at Ferrari as their expectations have not been met with success on the track. Charles Leclerc scored the team’s only podium so far in Jeddah as they struggle for performance.

Ferrari even lacked the pace of Williams at the Miami GP. Heading into Imola, Hamilton is not looking to give up on the 2025 season or his career in Maranello.

Ted Kravitz applauds Lewis Hamilton for dispelling doubts about his Ferrari career

The 40-year-old’s disappointing start to 2025 has prompted speculation that he could leave Ferrari earlier than anticipated. Hamilton is contracted until 2026, with an option of a third year, but some have suggested that he could hang up his helmet before then.

Ted Kravitz says the seven-time champion dispelled those doubts during his media session at Imola. Speaking via Ted’s Podbook, he applauded Hamilton as he told people to judge his Ferrari career after he leaves, not from the first few months.

“He was asked by my French colleague how we should judge his first few months and he was very clear, this was one of the lines of the day,” said Kravitz.

“He said: ‘Do not judge these first few months, these are stepping stones. Let’s have a conversation about how my time at Ferrari went at the end of my contract in two or three years.’

“He actually said in a few years time, then we can talk about the success we had with Ferrari.

“So any of you who were doubting, that Lewis was going to be hanging up the helmet and hanging up the racing boots and not staying with Ferrari, I think Lewis very much dispelled those doubts, put those doubts away.”

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Ferrari must get their act together to salvage Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 season

There is some optimism that Hamilton can save his 2025 campaign. Ferrari will wait until the Belgian GP to decide whether to abandon this year’s car and solely focus on 2026, giving them time to improve.

But the job at hand is a huge one, given that the team had arguably the fifth-fastest car in Miami. The circuit may have suited Williams more than Ferrari, but Fred Vasseur says it is ‘even more difficult’ for Hamilton to adapt when they are performing below expectations.

But the Brit is staying optimistic about this season and in 2026 under the new regulations. Hamilton says Ferrari fans deserve success – they will love that statement ahead of the Imola weekend.

Marc Priestley says 2026 gives ‘fresh hope’ to Hamilton fans with the new ruleset. The Brit has struggled to perform with the ground effect cars; a hard reset may be exactly what he needs to find success.