Lewis Hamilton’s Painful Driving Type Change at Ferrari Might Be Fueling His 2025 Struggles
Lewis Hamilton’s troublesome adaptation to life at Ferrari confirmed no indicators of enchancment throughout the Barcelona Grand Prix in Montmelo, the place the seven-time Method 1 world champion endured yet one more underwhelming weekend. Regardless of a uncommon glimmer of hope when he outqualified Charles Leclerc on Saturday, the optimism rapidly light because the race unfolded. Charles Leclerc had been conserving tyres for Sunday’s foremost occasion, and by the chequered flag, it was clear Ferrari’s inner expectations had once more fallen flat.
Ferrari had been optimistic that the FIA’s up to date technical directive on versatile entrance wings would shake up the aggressive hierarchy. Lewis Hamilton, nevertheless, had already expressed skepticism concerning the influence of the adjustments, having seen minimal enchancment when testing the up to date automobile within the simulator. His issues had been validated on Sunday as his SF-25 as soon as once more proved troublesome to deal with, notably beneath race circumstances.
Lewis Hamilton’s struggles had been starkly highlighted as Leclerc charged forward to safe his third podium of the season, whereas the Briton labored to a sixth-place end, solely elevated as a consequence of a post-race penalty for Max Verstappen. However even that minor enhance was overshadowed by a humiliating late-race overtake by Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg on the primary straight—a second that some followers seen as symbolic of Lewis Hamilton’s ongoing decline at Maranello.
The Ferrari Transition That’s Making Lewis Hamilton “Very Uncomfortable”
A part of Hamilton’s persevering with difficulties might lie in a elementary change he’s made to his driving fashion. In the course of the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton reportedly described the SF-25 as probably the most unbalanced and unpredictable automobile he had ever raced. Particularly, the shortage of stability on the rear meant he was battling extreme snap oversteer—greater than every other driver on the grid.
Whereas Charles Leclerc was as soon as once more in a position to extract extra efficiency from the identical automobile, insiders consider the distinction stemmed from Lewis Hamilton’s power insecurity within the entrance finish. The 40-year-old has discovered it particularly difficult to drive round these limitations. Journalist Julianne Cerasoli has revealed that Hamilton is trying to change his driving approach to higher swimsuit the traits of the Ferrari, however the change is proving to be a significant discomfort. In keeping with Julianne Cerasoli, the Briton admitted the changes really feel unnatural, which might be affecting his consistency throughout races.
This marks the primary time in his illustrious profession that Hamilton has pushed a automobile not powered by a Mercedes engine. That transition alone has added layers of complexity to his adaptation at Ferrari, with many within the paddock now questioning whether or not the crew has accomplished sufficient to assist the British driver’s integration.
A Dejected Hamilton Questions Ferrari’s Course and Help
The emotional toll of those continued setbacks grew to become clear on the Circuit de Catalunya, the place the previous Mercedes man appeared visibly distraught after the race. Observers famous that he was seen wiping tears from his eyes beneath his helmet following a dismal last stint. His lack of ability to capitalize on the late security automobile solely deepened the frustration, and lots of consider this was his lowest second since becoming a member of Ferrari forward of the 2025 season.
Regardless of David Coulthard suggesting there have been nonetheless positives to take—citing Lewis Hamilton’s potential to match the Monegasque’s tempo in the course of the race’s center stint—the bigger concern stays Hamilton’s inconsistency. Even Charles Leclerc was heard expressing frustration over crew radio about Hamilton’s tempo, shortly earlier than the crew instructed him to cross his teammate.
In an indication of deepening frustration, Lewis Hamilton has reportedly began pushing again in opposition to crew principal Fred Vasseur, urging Ferrari to halt additional growth of the 2025 automobile. Disillusioned with the present package deal, the seven-time F1 world champion is now putting his hopes on the numerous regulatory overhaul scheduled for 2026. The Briton seems more and more satisfied that this season might already be a misplaced trigger.
Including to the strain is a rising sense that Lewis Hamilton now not feels absolutely supported throughout the Ferrari camp. Sources counsel that he suspects components of the group could also be dropping religion in his potential to ship outcomes, given the disparity in efficiency between himself and Charles Leclerc. Lewis Hamilton’s post-race comment that he merely wished to “go dwelling” after the Spanish Grand Prix has additional fueled hypothesis that he could also be considering his long-term future with the Scuderia.
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