Jeremy Clarkson has blasted Lewis Hamilton after the F1 icon was disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this month.
The 40-year-old has had two races with Ferrari since joining the team following a glittering stint with Mercedes.
However, Hamilton has toiled with the veteran struggling in races in Australia and China so far.
At the Chinese Grand Prix, hopes were high for the Briton when he finished first in the sprint race.
Jeremy Clarkson has blasted Lewis Hamilton after the F1 icon was disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this month
GETTY/PA
But Hamilton could only qualify fifth for the main event before later being disqualified, much to his dismay.
Clarkson, writing for The Sun, has now hit out at the F1 legend and suggested he went from 'hero to zero'.
"It's important to everyone in Formula 1 that Ferrari does well because all the other teams are businesses, and Ferrari is more than that. It's the heart and it's the soul," he wrote.
"It was crucial then that the team's new boy, Lewis Hamilton, came out of the traps like he'd been fired from a gun.
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"And how good would that be if it happened in China, in front of a crowd that thinks he's a god.
"And blow me down, it did.
"For the sprint race in Shanghai last weekend, the elder statesman took pole position and then cruised away from the pack to win the race as well.
"What's interesting, and troubling, is that a few hours later, having created headlines around the world, Lewis could only qualify for the main event in fifth.
Lewis Hamilton had a day to forget with the F1 star disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix last week
REUTERS"And in the race itself, he was so slow he let his teammate overtake.
"And then he was disqualified."
Hamilton was outqualified by both McLaren drivers, as well as George Russell and Max Verstappen, before being disqualified.
And that has left Clarkson baffled, with the former Top Gear host adding: "How is that possible?
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"I can understand that a car might be quick at one track and the following weekend at a different track be useless.
"But to go from hero to zero at the same track? On the same day?
"It makes no sense."
Despite some early teething problems, Ferrari remain hopeful that Hamilton will provide bang for his buck.
Lewis Hamilton is yet to get going at Ferrari, having struggled in races in Australia and China so far
REUTERS
The Stevenage-born racer is currently preparing for the Japanese Grand Prix, with that event due to take place on Sunday (6am).
He will then compete at the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 13 (4pm).
