Lewis Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari has been anything but smooth. The seasoned driver, famous for his prowess on the track, faces an unexpected challenge as he battles to get comfortable with the Ferrari SF-25, a car he describes as “alien.”
Despite making headlines with a win in China, Hamilton’s start with Ferrari has been marked by difficulties, especially when compared to his teammate Charles Leclerc. After four races in the season, Hamilton consistently trails Leclerc, prompting concerns reminiscent of his challenging times at Mercedes last year. In Bahrain, Hamilton admitted, “I’m just not doing a good enough job on my side, so I’ve just got to keep improving.” However, he also confessed to not having definitive answers on how to turn things around, stating, “I really don’t know. I don’t have a lot of answers for you guys, I just wasn’t quick today.”
The Ferrari SF-25 seems to oppose Hamilton’s driving style, forcing him to rethink his techniques. “It just feels so alien, it really does feel so alien,” he remarked, highlighting the drastic differences between his new ride and previous experiences. One significant adjustment involves engine braking, a technique Hamilton hasn’t employed in over a decade. “I’ve never used engine braking before in the past 12 years, but here we use a lot of engine braking to turn the car,” he explained. This adjustment, among others, makes finding the perfect balance a new challenge for the seasoned driver.
Hamilton’s struggle is not just about adapting to the car but also the tools and methods involved in managing it. “We have much different brakes, the brakes are so much different to what I had in the past,” he pointed out. This unfamiliar territory requires him to adjust his approach, even altering weight distribution between the front and rear of the car.
As the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix approaches, Hamilton sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing Leclerc by two positions and seven points. This illustrates the uphill battle he faces in mastering the Ferrari and suggests a sense of urgency as he works to improve his standings.
Looking ahead, Hamilton remains optimistic yet realistic about his ongoing adaptation. The upcoming race will be a test of his ability to adjust and perhaps identify new strategies that align with the Ferrari’s unconventional handling.
Lewis Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari highlights the complexities of change, even for the most experienced drivers. As he navigates this new chapter, the motorsport world watches closely to see how the champion will overcome these ‘alien’ challenges and reclaim his competitive edge.
