Jeremy Clarkson Slams Lewis Hamilton’s “Too Slow” Performance at Chinese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton’s rollercoaster weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix left fans—and outspoken TV personality Jeremy Clarkson—scratching their heads. The seven-time world champion delivered a stunning victory in the sprint race, only to falter dramatically in the main event. Clarkson, a former Top Gear host, didn’t hold back, branding Hamilton “too slow” and dismissing his sudden loss of pace as “nonsense” in his column for The Sun. Here’s how Hamilton went from hero to zero in Shanghai—and why it left Clarkson both impressed and baffled.

A Tale of Two Races: Hamilton’s Sprint Triumph

Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari got off to a rocky start in Australia, but he roared back to form at the Shanghai International Circuit. In the sprint race, the 40-year-old veteran clinched pole position and dominated the field, securing his and Ferrari’s first sprint victory of 2025. For Clarkson, this was a moment of pure brilliance. “Lewis Hamilton escaped the traps like he’d been fired from a gun,” he wrote, praising the Brit’s commanding performance in front of an adoring Chinese crowd that “thinks he’s a god.”

Clarkson, a self-professed Ferrari enthusiast, underscored the team’s importance to Formula 1. “Ferrari is the heart and soul of the sport,” he argued, contrasting it with the “corporate” nature of other teams. Hamilton’s sprint win seemed to signal a resurgence for both the driver and the iconic Italian outfit—until the Grand Prix turned everything upside down.

From Glory to Disappointment: The Grand Prix Collapse

Just 24 hours after his sprint triumph, Hamilton’s weekend unraveled. Both Ferrari drivers were disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix—Hamilton due to excessive wear on his SF-25’s underfloor plank, and teammate Charles Leclerc for an underweight car. Even without the disqualification, Hamilton’s P6 finish was a letdown for a driver with 105 career wins. To make matters worse, he allowed Leclerc to pass him during the race, a decision Clarkson found inexplicable.

“From hero to zero on the same track, on the same day? It makes no sense,” Clarkson fumed. He’d been wowed by Hamilton’s sprint heroics, but the Grand Prix performance left him questioning the veteran’s consistency. “Lewis was slow enough to let his teammate by—and then got disqualified,” he added, highlighting the stark contrast between the two events.

Clarkson’s Confusion: What Happened to Hamilton’s Speed?

Clarkson’s critique wasn’t just about Hamilton’s result—it was the sheer unpredictability that baffled him. Qualifying fifth for the main race after dominating the sprint, Hamilton seemed to lose his edge overnight. “I can understand a car being fast at one track and useless at another the next weekend,” Clarkson wrote. “But this? It’s ridiculous.” For a driver of Hamilton’s caliber, the drop-off was as confounding as it was disappointing.

Hamilton’s struggles weren’t entirely his own fault. The SF-25’s technical issues played a role, and Ferrari’s double disqualification exposed deeper problems within the team. Still, Clarkson’s sharp words zeroed in on Hamilton’s on-track decisions, particularly yielding to Leclerc, whose pace he deemed slower.

Ferrari and Hamilton: A Season of Highs and Lows

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 was meant to reignite his pursuit of an eighth world title, but the Chinese Grand Prix exposed lingering challenges. His sprint win proved he still has the skill to dominate, yet the Grand Prix flop raised questions about consistency—both for him and Ferrari. Clarkson’s mixed reaction reflects this duality: awe at Hamilton’s potential, frustration at his faltering execution.

For Ferrari fans, Hamilton’s sprint victory offered hope that the team could reclaim its former glory. But the Grand Prix debacle was a stark reminder that technical reliability and race-day strategy remain hurdles. As the season progresses, Hamilton will need to harness his Shanghai sprint magic more consistently to silence doubters like Clarkson.

Conclusion: Clarkson’s Verdict and What’s Next

Jeremy Clarkson’s take on Lewis Hamilton’s Chinese Grand Prix weekend was equal parts admiration and exasperation. The sprint win showcased Hamilton at his best, while the Grand Prix exposed vulnerabilities that left Clarkson—and fans—perplexed. “Too slow” may be a harsh jab, but it underscores the high expectations Hamilton carries as a Ferrari driver. With the season still young, all eyes will be on whether he can bounce back and prove the naysayers wrong. For now, Clarkson’s left wondering: how can a champion fall so fast?