Ferrari F1 legend claims Lewis Hamilton already 'feeling pressure'

Ferrari F1 legend Rubens Barrichello believes Lewis Hamilton is “feeling pressure” as he continues to embed himself into the Italian squad.

Hamilton joined Ferrari this year following a lengthy stint at Mercedes, where he won six of his record-equalling seven F1 titles.

The 40-year-old has endured challenges during his opening months with Ferrari, while the team have also been unable to consistently compete at the front of the field.

Ferrari has a cult following in its home country of Italy, with Barrichello, a six-season Ferrari veteran, knowing all too well the pressures of being a driver of the team.

“I can say from my time at Ferrari, mentally, it's the toughest team to drive for,” Barrichello told PokerScout. 

“Because you have fanatics who support you but it does feel like the pressure is on you all the time. 

“Lewis Hamilton already has that pressure because he's someone everyone follows anyway, everyone knows who Sir Lewis is. 

“It's a lot of pressure, it's not easy in Italy, it's a lot of mental ability for sure.”

Barrichello detailed he still maintains a positive relationship with the Ferrari team, despite exiting the organisation 20 years ago.

"Nowadays, I still go to Fiorano, to eat at the Montana restaurant where I spent six years of my life. It's just amazing, people act like I was racing yesterday, so imagine what it's like for the current Ferrari drivers. 

“The pressure of racing for Ferrari comes from the outside, but on the inside, if you spend time at the Fiorano factory, working with the engineers and analysts, the facilities are amazing. 

“There are plenty of things to do, and it's fun and amazing."