Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was much anticipated, but it seems his journey with the team is off to a bumpy start.
Reports suggest that Ferrari’s latest model, the SF-25, is proving problematic, particularly during qualifying sessions. It appears that the car struggles when running on low fuel in slow corners, a scenario crucial for qualifying success. Sources indicate that the car ‘goes into crisis,’ failing to secure the mechanical grip necessary, a disadvantage further emphasized by Hamilton’s inability to outperform his teammate Charles Leclerc during recent races.
In China, Hamilton secured a victory in the sprint race, but such success hasn’t been mirrored in grand prix events. In both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, his performance lagged significantly behind Leclerc’s, trailing by over half a second per lap, fueling speculation about Hamilton’s potential struggles as the season progresses.
Adding to the challenges, Hamilton has expressed dissatisfaction with the SF-25, describing it as feeling ‘alien’ after years with Mercedes. A notable issue involves the car’s sensitivity to ride height changes, impacting its performance. This was highlighted by Hamilton’s disqualification from the Chinese Grand Prix due to excessive plank wear, prompting adjustments that, according to Hamilton, involved running the car higher than ideal.
Despite the hurdles and concerns about the season’s outlook, Hamilton remains optimistic about overcoming these issues. At a recent event in London, he confidently stated, ‘Please keep your fingers crossed. I’m not going to give up. We’re going to keep getting better. Still we rise, right?’ Currently, he holds the seventh position in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing Leclerc by two places and sixteen points.
Ralf Schumacher, a former F1 driver, speculated that if these challenges persist, Hamilton might consider retiring. However, Hamilton’s statements indicate he’s far from calling it quits, showing determination to reverse the current troubling trend.
While Lewis Hamilton’s start at Ferrari hasn’t gone according to plan, his resolve remains unchanged. The challenges with the SF-25 are significant, yet Hamilton’s spirit suggests that he is ready to confront these obstacles head-on. Whether or not he can turn things around will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.
