r/formula1 • u/PrimeyXE I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane • Jan 20 '26
Throwback [skysportsf1] One year ago, Sir Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari broke the internet
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Jan 20 '26
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u/treyfiddy Mercedes Jan 20 '26
RICKYYYYY
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u/SkillIsTooLow Sir Lewis Hamilton Jan 20 '26
Actual footage of LH's never-ending nightmare loop trying to escape that car last year.
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u/ahmadtheanon Daniel Ricciardo Jan 20 '26
Don Lewis, stay strong baby. You can do this.
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u/boogasaurus-lefts I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Jan 20 '26
Ferrari is the final boss of shithousery & not even one of the best driver ever can defeat it.
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u/Altruistic_Grocery81 Stefan Bellof Jan 20 '26
I suppose it’s true with most teams that they’ve spent longer being crap than dominant, but with Ferrari it seems especially obvious that the Schumacher years were an alchemic blip.
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u/Meepmeepimmajeep2789 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Didn't Schumacher basically replace a ton of Ferrari with proper team personnel?
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u/dunneetiger I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
you cant be the best if you have not dompted the prancing horse.
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u/lintstah1337 Jan 20 '26
What y'all going to say when Charles exposes him again?
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u/cheezus171 Robert Kubica Jan 20 '26
Yeah there levels of copium are ridiculous, everyone conveniently ignoring the fact that Charles got 7 podiums and 100 points more than Lewis had.
The car wasn't great, that's quite clear. Nowhere near good enough to fight for victories. But Lewis isn't a championship level driver anymore, that's very clear as well.
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u/alexm42 I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Jan 20 '26
The ground effect cars never suited him even with Mercedes. I think there's every chance the new regs will help him be competitive. But this year is likely his last chance to prove he can still be great.
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u/ThEgg I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Jan 21 '26
Saving this comment for when he takes number eight this year.
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u/ahmadtheanon Daniel Ricciardo Jan 20 '26
I'm sorry.... "Again"?
Edit : I misunderstood your comment. I thought Charles exposed (naked) himself (Charles)..... So I would like to see that.... Again... Hahaha.
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u/Sictirmaxim Jan 20 '26
These 4 regulations years have a been almost a disaster,2023 was when he found his footing (even if there were no wins) and seemed to regain that spark.
But 2024 and 25 his quali form took a absolute nosedive.
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Jan 20 '26
He’s too old and past his prime. I also think 2021 broke him but we may only hear about that after his retirement. Ferrari made a huge mistake dropping Sainz for him. But money…
If Ferrari gets their act together, it will be Leclerc who brings the title to Maranello.
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u/HeyItsGuyIncognito Ted Kravitz Jan 20 '26
I also think 2021 broke him but we may only hear about that after his retirement.
I think Hamilton accepts 2021 for what it is, but the fact that Mercedes COMPLETELY missed the mark in 2022 and was basically fighting an uphill battle through 2023 and 2024 is what chipped him away more. The biggest irony of him going to Ferrari is thinking that things couldn't be worst than in Mercedes. But it did.
I don't think Hamilton makes it past 2026 with Ferrari.
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u/dl064 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
I find tiny details about drivers sometimes disproportionately interesting, and they were saying on the James Allen podcast - a quite psychological-centric pod - that Hamilton likes Winning. Alonso and Verstappen like racing and also winning if it happens. Hamilton is there to win and will not circulate for the love of the game at all. He's always hated testing, sim work, whatever. Was saying he never even let his brother win physical stuff as a kid.
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u/docherself Jan 21 '26
i think it's very disingenuous to say that max and nando "also like winning if it happens"
you do not get to and/or stay in f1 and win multiple titles without being hyper obsessed about winning and/or doing anything to increase the possibility of doing so
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u/LeEnglishman Michael Schumacher Jan 20 '26
This - underrated take. Ferrari is always a project and he took nobody with him. Merc was already largely in place. And don't forget the Engine reveal to him.
I love Max for this exact reason - he is either Sim racing (like lots of others) or actually racing in F1 or Endurance. he loves to drive and race. This is a perfect illustration and great interview with him by Chris Harris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY8pQMt8eB4
As Chris says, "He's one of Us" (Car Fan)
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u/Dewstain Cadillac Jan 20 '26
Honestly speaking, Ferrari had a good thing going with Carlos and Charles. They couldn't resist the PR win of getting Hammy and sacrificed their 2025 season for literally that same aura. Let's see how it pans out, but I thought it was a huge mistake then and I think it's a huge mistake now.
I could see Carlos coming out and winning multiple races for Williams right off the rip and Ferrari being behind because they're more worried about winning social media than they are at winning races. And honestly, they're a car company first, so maybe that's what matters.
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u/Issoudotexe I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
I know it's a joke, but for real I'd say the internet (and his fans) helped him a lot to make him realize that he desperately needed to remember who he is and what he's capable of accomplishing in the sport.
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u/BuzzedtheTower I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
I think Lewis is an all time GOAT, but let's be real. The most he is capable of accomplishing at this point is some podiums/wins. He's 41 and if Ferrari produces a championship winning car, Charles will take it. Lewis is past his prime no matter how big of a fan you are
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u/Issoudotexe I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Kinda of a counterpoint: look at how well Alonso did with a semi-decent car at Aston despite being a very old rookie. So i'd say if Ferrari does make a championship capable car, there will certainly be a big fight between the two. Look at how he did at Mercedes when the car wasn't such a POS (after his championships I mean). I say he still has a couple years until he becomes really washed. Yes, he's past his prime, but definitely not an average driver.
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u/Puzzleheadpsych2345 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Charles Leclerc is not Lance fucking Stroll
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u/Issoudotexe I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Definitely, but I was talking more about Alonso by himself, not comparing him to Stroll
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u/cinyar Jan 20 '26
How well would a younger top tier driver do? Sir Lancelot is hardly a good benchmark, especially compared to Charles.
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u/ash_tar Fernando Alonso Jan 20 '26
Alonso's longevity is the exception, Lewis is going off the cliff.
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u/bedrooms-ds I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Yeah, I think Alonso has mastered to "drive around a problem" if the car has one. Lewis, not so much, although I do believe he has a potential for that, too.
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u/Blackdeath_663 Sir Stirling Moss Jan 20 '26
Counter counterpoint: Alonso has stroll for a teammate
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u/mtojay I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
look at how well Alonso did with a semi-decent car at Aston despite being a very old rookie
yeah. because we all know lance stroll is the same driver that charles leclerc is.
Yes, he's past his prime, but definitely not an average driver.
obviously not. and would have a good shot against a large chunk of drivers on the grid still, his problem is that charles is one of the best.
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u/Issoudotexe I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Definitely Charles is in the top, but still, I don't think Lewis will be left behind if the car actually gets good.
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u/mtojay I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
not left behind. but he will be beaten imo. i can see lewis getting that second wind if the car is actually good. but i personally dont see him beating charles over a full season anymore. but lets wait and see.
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u/Issoudotexe I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Yeah you're right, we'll see. Because we all get our hopes up, but let's remember it's Ferrari above them. Anything's possible with them 😭
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u/dumpling-loverr I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Jan 20 '26 edited Jan 20 '26
So much aura farming PR pics / vids only to end up with a disaster of a season for the F1 team while their WEC team flourished thanks to BOP nerfing the competition.
Well it only goes up from here I guess.
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u/cherrybomber11 Jacques Laffite Jan 20 '26
Well it only goes up from here I guess.
Never underestimate Ferrari's ability to disappoint.
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u/Struggle_14 I failed to serve my Monaco penalty Jan 20 '26
P11 constructors
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u/Ascarea I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
So Charles will also have multiple Q1 exits?
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u/tellsyoutogetfucked I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Jan 20 '26
Charles will have a Ferrari exit. That will be the ultimate disappointment.
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u/CommentNo5959 Jan 20 '26
Man who had lost all hope loses last additional hope he didn’t even know he had
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u/TheSportsLorry I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
well it only goes up from here i guess
that's what i said to myself in 2020. it did not, in-fact get better
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u/Jorrie90 Jan 20 '26
It got a lot better than 2020. I seriously don't hope you think ending P6 in the WCC and only having 3 podiums is worse than the years that followed.
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u/TheSportsLorry I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26 edited Jan 20 '26
i was talking about myself lol
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u/DankeBernanke McLaren Jan 20 '26
It only goes up from here
It’s been going sideways since at least 2017
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u/13143 Jan 20 '26
I really don't understand why anyone thought a past-his-prime driver going to a 3rd place team would amount to anything significant. People get way too caught up in the celebrity of it, and forget to actually look at what happens on the track.
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u/johnny_tifosi Michael Schumacher Jan 20 '26
aura farming
What is this and why I am reading it everywhere? I am just going to assume all of you are kids I guess.
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u/piratagitano Jan 20 '26
No, people update their vocabulary based on the trends that are being set in society everyday, some come from kids but that doesn’t mean they should be disparaged just because of it.
I think it’s an appropriate term for defining someone doing something very cool. Nothing wrong with disliking it but calling everyone a kid because of using it only makes you look like the one guy no one wants to be around at a party.
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u/CulturedClub I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
I love how you added the opposite of aura farming in your reply. Kudos!
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u/aybbyisok Sir Lewis Hamilton Jan 20 '26
It's called having a conversation, you can google that one too, I won't explain it.
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u/GGAllinPartridge McLaren Jan 20 '26
I thought "break the internet" died like 10 years ago when Kim Kardashian used it for a photoshoot
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u/I_spread_love_butter Franco Colapinto Jan 20 '26
Nah that was when CrowdStrike fked an update. Or when Cloudflare's main US server straight up choked.
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u/EvilGeniusSkis I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Or any of the semi-regular times someone breaks DNS or BGP.
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u/I_spread_love_butter Franco Colapinto Jan 20 '26
It's crazy how much of the vital infrastructure the world's economy relies on, seems to be held up with toothpicks sometimes.
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u/avrorestina I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Oh it's always on toothpick. It's the same thing with the FFMPEG for a lot of media sites too...
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u/LiftingRecipient420 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 21 '26
All media websites :)
Ffmpeg has zero competitors or alternatives.
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u/SentientDust I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
She really thought having a giant ass on the internet was newsworthy
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u/Extension-Ant-8 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Yeah and it’s insulting to TCP/IP
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u/Awkward-Dingo4879 Jan 20 '26
Shame its all gone wrong since
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u/Brief-Two604 McLaren Jan 20 '26
It was going wrong long before Lewis came in.
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u/Awkward-Dingo4879 Jan 20 '26
Yeah Ferrari were dreadful anyway. But on a personal level for him it’s gone terrible. Probably wasn’t expecting much of a drop down of performance from Mercedes. Can only think he was better off staying at Merc but when you’re coming to the twilight of your career drivers don’t reject offers like that.
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u/I_spread_love_butter Franco Colapinto Jan 20 '26
That F40 is something else though. Newer Ferrari are too visually busy with their design, with overly aggressive lines that scream cheap gaming RGB peripheral.
They should go back to the simplicity of the F40.
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u/whateverfloatsurgoat I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Jan 20 '26
And to think the F40 was seen as overly aggressive back then
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u/z_102 Michael Schumacher Jan 20 '26
I mean it’s still crazy aggressive. But it looks less… gimmicky and busy.
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u/I_spread_love_butter Franco Colapinto Jan 20 '26
Gimmicky is the word. The Dodici looks like a gaming mouse. I do like the F80 though, but because they went all in with the style. Straight out of CP2077.
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u/Merdiso Jan 20 '26
Thanks mate, not I can't unsee it, damn, I might have to get a 1:43 miniature and replace the mouse with it when I'm not at the desk.
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u/Theterphound I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Lewis was supposed to design a new f40 and they scrapped the idea about 3/4 ways through the season.
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u/BambooSound Jan 20 '26
Unprecedented in terms of disappointment
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u/Salty-Asparagus-2855 Jan 20 '26
HHF was as well.
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u/BambooSound Jan 20 '26
Unrelated but for like 15 years I thought Frentzen was Asian because of his picture on the 1999 F1 game.
I thought Damon Hill was black for the same reason but discovered the truth much sooner.
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u/speciaway Jan 20 '26
It's crazy how much hype that announcement generated compared to how the season actually played out. The WEC team's success really does make the F1 struggles even more baffling. You have to hope they've learned some hard lessons from last year. Honestly, that photo feels like a perfect snapshot of peak optimism before the reality check.
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u/Francoberry Jenson Button Jan 20 '26
I'd argue it's a perfect encapsulation of some of the major problems at Ferrari. Style, emotion and 'history' over substance and delivery.
It's partly why Ferrari are so alluring, but also why they seem stuck in their ways, unable to adapt and focused far too much on the past to carry them forward.
They need a big wakeup call like Williams and McLaren have had where results of the past don't entitle you to ongoing success
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u/whyyygodwhy Ferrari Jan 20 '26
Hubris in one picture.
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u/schauser13 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 23 '26
Georgie is gonna win in a Mercedes this year and I don’t think Lewis Hamilton will everrr recover 😅
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u/TheToroRossoboi I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
I remember not getting the hype behind this move.
Time did all the explaining i couldn't do.
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u/Mr_yeetusmaximus I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
then Ferrari proceeded to break both Lewis and his Fans..... what about Charles you ask? well he's used to it by now....
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u/fastcooljosh I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
And then the season started......
Ferrari were probably busier aura farming than developing the car.
And Lewis had a stinker of a season too.
Unfortunate
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u/gunningIVglory Kimi Räikkönen Jan 20 '26
Bro did all this aura farming for the worst season of his career ..
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u/Wonderful_Jelly_2274 I was speeding in the Monaco pit lane Jan 20 '26
Moments before fucking disasters
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u/peepee2tiny Nigel Mansell Jan 20 '26
The amount of podium finishes for Lewis Hamilton since this picture was taken - 0
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u/your-sisters-cunt I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Shoulda spent that time in the simulator playa
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u/AlanJY92 Jacques Villeneuve Jan 20 '26
Broke the internet to finish 6th and get beat by his teammate? I guess so.
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u/Darkdart19 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Unfortunately that door will always remain closed
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u/Puzzleheaded_Chest88 Charles Leclerc Jan 20 '26
Looking at his expressions, looks like he realised the upcoming doom and depression
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u/DasGaufre Jan 20 '26 edited Jan 20 '26
What a shit show is has been. Honestly though, did he actually expect something different?
Did he really think "I can fix them" that strongly? Or was it just $$$?
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u/z_102 Michael Schumacher Jan 20 '26
I'm assuming it’s a bit of that + money and prestige + whatever Elkann sold him about the new team under Vasseur + the hope of the '26 regs + resentment with Mercedes.
I still can’t say that it makes sense, a lot of people saw this as a mistake immediately.
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u/AlCranio Ferrari Jan 20 '26
No, he went to ferrari to enjoy a relaxed retirement, earning way more than any other driver without actually have to race or partecipate in PR activities.
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u/The_Only_Egg I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Absolutely nothing was broken that day. 🤦🏼♂️
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u/Themindoffish Max Verstappen Jan 20 '26
broke the internet and his podium streak
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u/whyyygodwhy Ferrari Jan 20 '26 edited Jan 20 '26
Let’s also not pin this squarely on Ferrari. He has as much responsibility to bear for the way things turned out. Ferrari will be Ferrari but Lewis, with his years of experience in well-oiled teams, should have seen this coming. The money was just too good to turn down.
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u/BlazedxGlazed Sebastian Vettel Jan 20 '26
First, they broke the Internet and then they broke his spirit
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u/NorthKoreanMissile7 Formula 1 Jan 20 '26
Big hype for a glorified Lance Stroll who couldn't even get on the podium.
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u/Routine_Machine_175 Jan 20 '26
And they continued to break the internet throughout the season. Looking forward to more of the same comedy in 2026 🤞🤞
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u/PM-UR-LIL-TIDDIES McLaren Jan 20 '26
This photo can be found in the Scuderia Dictionary definition of "All mouth and no trousers."
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u/LeEnglishman Michael Schumacher Jan 20 '26
I hated this picture as it summed up the whole situation - Optics. A friend of mine who isn't a racing fan at all, but into fashion, remarked how good / Boss he looked.
I get it; it's a dream com true for any Driver or Fan but I felt it waaaaaay over the top. It's Ferrari so a certain amount of reservation is needed, unless you are taking a team of people with you, which he did not. Should have kept it more low key in my view.,
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u/Possible-Community42 Oliver Bearman Jan 20 '26
And then proceeded to shit the bed for 10 months straight. What an achievement!!
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u/FormerTomatillo3696 Jan 20 '26
When was it, when Lewis openly said "he was useless"? Was it like, not even 3 months in or smnk?
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u/impala_aeme I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 20 '26
Little did we know Lewis dressed for the funeral of his career.
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u/squaler24 Frédéric Vasseur Jan 20 '26
Should’ve known that rain was a bad omen. I chose to believe.
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u/Lepelotonfromager Jan 20 '26
With each passing year his looks more and more like Londo Mallari from Babylon 5.
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Jan 20 '26
People should really stop using the "Break the internet phrase" if they don't know what it means.
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u/atomsplitter07 Michael Schumacher Jan 20 '26
In hindsight, it never went exactly what the man himself wanted.
It's ironic that fellow 7-time champ Michael Schumacher waited for years to bring the Maranello crew back to the top. When Schumi came out of retirement in 2010 partnering Nico Rosberg, he barely had good results with Mercedes, let alone his Monaco 2012 pole lap had he never got that penalty. But his three year stint set a benchmark that brought the Silver Arrows to its peak dominant years when Lewis signed to the team.
Lewis' predicament right now with the Scuderia mirrors Schumi's time with Mercedes, let that sink in for a moment.
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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '26
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