Hamilton’s Tough Start with Ferrari
RacingNews365 explores why Lewis Hamilton is struggling at Ferrari and why a quick solution seems unlikely.
After a rough debut with a 10th place finish in Australia, Hamilton found form in China with a sprint race pole and win, showing flashes of his old brilliance. But since then, things have gone downhill. Over the first five events (including sprints), he’s consistently trailed teammate Charles Leclerc, both in qualifying and races. He’s only managed to beat Leclerc once – in a sprint.
Hamilton’s qualifying gap to Leclerc averages about 0.25 seconds, not disastrous, but in such a tightly packed field, small gaps have a big impact. While the SF-25 isn’t perfect, it’s proven capable of competing at the front, something Leclerc has demonstrated. Hamilton, however, says he doesn’t feel at ease in the car, citing balance issues.
A key factor is the current generation of ground-effect cars, introduced in 2022, which don’t suit Hamilton’s driving style. He’s historically been aggressive with braking and sharp cornering – an approach less effective with today’s heavier, understeer-prone cars. These cars favor a smoother, more flowing driving style, which contrasts with his instincts.
Another challenge is adapting to Ferrari’s power unit. After nearly two decades with Mercedes, Hamilton is relearning things like engine braking – a big adjustment. Additionally, Ferrari has been forced to run the SF-25 with higher ride heights due to aerodynamic and chassis-related issues. While updates are coming, it will take time for Hamilton to truly settle in and extract the car’s full potential.