Lewis Hamilton Disappoints Italian Fans and Reignites the Debate

Lewis Hamilton’s comments on Imola’s possible return to the Formula 1 calendar are sparking debate among fans and industry insiders. The seven-time world champion, speaking at a press conference in Baku about the various options on the table for the season finale, did not hide his reservations about the possibility of holding the season’s final race at the Santerno circuit.

The current international situation has, in fact, forced Formula 1 to revise its plans for the championship finale. With several uncertainties surrounding the races in the Middle East, one of the solutions being considered is to bring the Formula 1 circus back to Imola between late November and early December.

This prospect does not fully convince Hamilton. The Ferrari driver first reiterated his preference for racing in the Middle East, explaining that he has confidence in the decisions that will be made by Formula 1’s leadership. But it is above all his assessment of the Emilia-Romagna track that has drawn attention. “Ending the season in winter at Imola might not be ideal from a weather standpoint,” the Briton noted.

Hamilton then added a technical comment bound to spark debate: while calling Imola “a beautiful circuit,” he emphasized that, in his opinion, it is not a track particularly conducive to overtaking. This statement has inevitably reignited the debate among Italian fans, who have always been deeply attached to one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar—a track set to be excluded from the F1 calendar starting in 2026.

The British champion’s remarks carry particular weight precisely because they come from a Ferrari driver—a team that traditionally enjoys enormous support from the crowd at Imola. Precisely for this reason, Hamilton’s opinion has caused quite a stir, dividing fans between those who agree with his technical assessments and those who defend the characteristics of the historic track.