Motorsports
Hamilton’s Ferrari Freefall Before Monza Crowd
Lewis Hamilton’s dream start with Ferrari has turned into the toughest season of his Formula One career, with the Italian Grand Prix arriving as a crucial test of patience for fans and team alike.
The seven-time world champion joined Ferrari this year, sparking hope among the tifosi that their 18-year wait for a driver’s crown would end. Instead, Hamilton sits a staggering 200 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri after 15 races, without a single win or podium.
The Dutch Grand Prix capped off Ferrari’s misery. Hamilton spun in practice, then crashed out of the race alongside teammate Charles Leclerc. A five-place grid penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags only makes Monza harder.
Still, Hamilton insists he hasn’t lost his sense of pride in wearing red. At a fan event in Milan, he called it “special to remember I’m a Ferrari driver,” adding that the passion of supporters was “intense but very positive.”
Yet behind the optimism lies frustration. At Hungary, Hamilton even described himself as “completely useless,” fueling speculation about retirement. He admits the rollercoaster has been more volatile than expected, but hopes “the sun may be coming out on the brighter end of the tunnel.”
For now, Ferrari is a sideshow at their own home race. The season has been defined by McLaren’s domination, with Piastri and Lando Norris winning all but three races. Piastri leads Norris by 34 points, while Max Verstappen—second at Zandvoort—faces the reality of losing his grip on the title after four straight championships.
Monza may still roar for Ferrari, but unless Hamilton and Leclerc find form, the famous circuit will belong to McLaren’s rising stars.
Sebastien Ogier kept his World Rally Championship dream alive in Chile on Sunday, clinching his 66th career victory and tightening his grip on a possible record-equalling ninth world title.
The 41-year-old Frenchman, driving for Toyota, crossed the finish line 11 seconds ahead of teammate Elfyn Evans. The Welshman had been leading after Friday’s stages, but Ogier mastered the rain-soaked gravel on Saturday to seize control.
It was Ogier’s fifth win of the season, enough to lift him two points clear of Evans at the top of the drivers’ standings with only three rallies left on the calendar. Should he hold on, he will match the legendary Sebastien Loeb’s tally of nine titles.
The result also marked Toyota’s 10th win of the season, extending its cushion over Hyundai in the manufacturers’ standings and bringing the Japanese marque closer to a fifth straight team championship. Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux gave Hyundai some consolation by finishing third.
Ogier had initially planned to drive part-time this season, skipping three rallies. But once the title fight opened up in his favor, he decided to contest the remaining events. His back-to-back wins now mean he will take on the role of road opener at the next round, the Central European Rally on October 16 — an advantage on the tarmac.
Reflecting on the win, Ogier admitted it wasn’t all smooth sailing: “We had to fight a bit more, we had a little issue in the mornings as I was not awake but we can be pleased with the way we ended up. I’m happy with that and I’m looking forward to switching to tarmac.”
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🏎️ FORMULA ONE: CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
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Formula One world championship standings ahead of this weekend’s
Dutch Grand Prix — the 15th round of the 24-race season.
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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE
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🏁 DRIVERS STANDINGS
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- Oscar Piastri (AUS) ………. 284 pts
- Lando Norris (GBR) ……….. 275
- Max Verstappen (NED) ……… 187
- George Russell (GBR) ……… 172
- Charles Leclerc (MON) …….. 151
- Lewis Hamilton (GBR) ……… 109
- Kimi Antonelli (ITA) ……… 64
- Alex Albon (THA) …………. 54
- Nico Hulkenberg (GER) …….. 37
- Esteban Ocon (FRA) ……….. 27
- Fernando Alonso (ESP) …….. 26
- Lance Stroll (CAN) ……….. 26
- Isack Hadjar (FRA) ……….. 22
- Pierre Gasly (FRA) ……….. 20
- Liam Lawson (NZL) ………… 20
- Carlos Sainz (ESP) ……….. 16
- Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) …… 14
- Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) ……….. 10
- Oliver Bearman (GBR) ……… 8
- Franco Colapinto (ARG) ……. 0
- Jack Doohan (AUS) ………… 0
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🏆 CONSTRUCTORS STANDINGS
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- McLaren …………………. 559 pts
- Ferrari …………………. 260
- Mercedes ………………… 236
- Red Bull ………………… 194
- Williams ………………… 70
- Aston Martin …………….. 52
- Sauber ………………….. 51
- Racing Bulls …………….. 45
- Haas ……………………. 35
- Alpine ………………….. 20
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Zandvoort, Netherlands – After a month-long summer break, Formula One roars back this weekend at the seaside track of Zandvoort, where the Dutch Grand Prix promises drama on and off the asphalt. With 10 races left, the championship fight is tighter than ever, and storylines are plenty. Here are five things to watch.
McLaren’s papaya puzzle
McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri head into Zandvoort as clear front-runners. Norris won here last year, while Piastri leads the standings by just nine points. The team’s so-called “papaya rules” allow the pair to race freely, with one condition: don’t hit each other. That pact already failed once in Canada. With tensions rising, the big question is whether McLaren will let them keep dueling or lean toward a clear No. 1 driver.
Verstappen’s redemption bid
For once, Max Verstappen is not the man to beat at his home race. Last year, the reigning champion endured a nightmare weekend, spinning in practice, losing pole to Norris, and finishing way off the pace. Adding insult, Norris cheekily mocked Verstappen’s usual “simply lovely” radio call. Now, the Dutchman faces the roar of his orange-clad fans with hopes of a miracle drive to turn the tide.
Hamilton’s Ferrari blues
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been anything but smooth. The seven-time world champion stunned many by calling himself “completely useless” in Hungary before the break. At 40, speculation about retirement is growing, though Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur insists he has the team’s full support. Fans will be watching closely to see if a summer reset reignites Hamilton’s spark.
Silly season gossip
The break may have cooled engines, but it fired up the rumor mill. George Russell’s contract with Mercedes is still unsigned, fueling speculation despite his confidence that a deal is only a matter of time. Elsewhere, teams remain cautious about major changes ahead of next year’s regulations, but Zandvoort’s paddock chatter will be buzzing.
Zandvoort’s chaos factor
The dunes of Zandvoort always deliver unpredictability. Last year’s heavy rain caused crashes, including Logan Sargeant’s near-total wreck in his Williams. This weekend’s showers could play into Verstappen’s wet-weather skills. Dutch fans, already famous for their sea of orange, will make the most of it – especially since this is Zandvoort’s penultimate F1 appearance.
The stage is set: tight battles, simmering rivalries, and the roar of the orange army. Zandvoort rarely disappoints.
