Karun Chandhok has drawn sharp criticism from Lewis Hamilton’s fanbase after labeling the Ferrari driver the “oops” of the weekend following a lackluster Saudi Arabian Grand Prix performance. Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in 2025, finished 31 seconds behind teammate Charles Leclerc in Jeddah—a gap equating to roughly six-tenths per lap—while rookie Oliver Bearman had previously closed the gap to Leclerc in his 2024 debut.
Hamilton’s Struggles Under Scrutiny
Chandhok, analyzing Hamilton’s data on Sky Sports, highlighted the seven-time champion’s difficulties in matching Leclerc’s pace. Qualifying saw Hamilton seven-tenths slower, and he slipped further in the race, marking his largest deficit to a teammate since 2017. “He’s going to have to dig deep to improve,” Chandhok remarked, pointing to the widening performance gap.
Fan Outcry and Chandhok’s Response
Hamilton’s supporters, dubbed “Team LH,” flooded social media with criticism after Chandhok’s comments. Addressing the backlash on The F1 Show, Chandhok acknowledged: “They’re all very upset with me this week… I’m getting a lot of upset Team LH people”. The backlash comes amid broader concerns over Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari, with internal pressure reportedly mounting as the team’s 2025 car struggles for pace.
Ferrari’s Challenges and Hamilton’s Outlook
Ferrari’s aggressive winter overhaul, intended to challenge McLaren and Red Bull, has instead left their car slower and harder to drive. Team principal Fred Vasseur has publicly defended Hamilton, but the Briton’s post-race remarks hinted at resignation, calling the season a “work in progress”. Meanwhile, Chandhok emphasized the need for Hamilton to refine his setup and adapt to Ferrari’s technical demands, particularly in high-speed corners where Leclerc holds an edge.
As the F1 circus heads to Miami, all eyes will be on whether Hamilton can narrow the gap to Leclerc—and silence his critics.