Lewis Hamilton Nears Ferrari Podium Drought Record After 13 Races

Lewis Hamilton's transition to Ferrari in the 2024 F1 season has been challenging, with the seven-time world champion yet to secure a podium finish in 13 races despite his strong track record, including eight wins at the Hungarian Grand Prix. While teammate Charles Leclerc has managed five podiums, Hamilton's performance has lagged due to adapting to Ferrari's distinct team environment and the SF-25 car, which is generally less competitive than the dominant McLaren. Hamilton has expressed that the intensity and pride within Ferrari exceed his expectations, and he remains optimistic about the team's potential despite current setbacks. Ferrari has reaffirmed stability by extending team principal Frederic Vasseur's contract amid speculation about leadership changes. As the Hungarian Grand Prix approaches, it represents a critical test for Hamilton to break his podium drought and demonstrate his adaptation to Ferrari. Notably, Hamilton is approaching a record for the most races without a podium for Ferrari, highlighting the pressure to improve performance soon.