Hamilton Beats Leclerc, Finishes Fourth at Imola Amid Ferrari Qualifying Struggles

Lewis Hamilton experienced a dramatic turnaround at the Imola Grand Prix, recovering from a disappointing 12th place qualifying to finish a season-best fourth in his first race for Ferrari in Italy. Despite Ferrari's worst qualifying performance this season, Hamilton's strategic race, including a key tyre change, allowed him to overtake several competitors and outperform teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished sixth. Hamilton expressed enthusiasm for racing in front of the passionate Tifosi fans, comparing the experience to watching Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher as a child. He praised the team's race strategy and felt more aligned with the car than in previous races, though he acknowledged the need to improve qualifying performance to contend for podiums. Hamilton also highlighted the emotional connection with Ferrari's home crowd and the significance of beating his teammate for the first time since joining the team. The event drew a large attendance, with organizers reporting 242,000 fans, reflecting the strong support for Ferrari despite earlier setbacks.