Ferrari’s Formula 1 journey took a puzzling turn after the Spanish Grand Prix, as both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc grappled with mysterious car issues.
- Hamilton, struggling in Barcelona, described the experience as one of the worst due to a balance problem with the SF-25.
- Post-race, Ferrari identified the issue responsible for the performance dip, but instructed their drivers to keep details under wraps.
- Hamilton found some relief knowing the source of his struggles but remained tight-lipped about specifics due to team orders.
- As the Canadian Grand Prix loomed, Hamilton dismissed the notion of desperately needing a comeback, despite being behind Leclerc in the standings.
During the aftermath of the Spanish Grand Prix, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc found themselves perplexed by what seemed to be a baffling problem with their SF-25 cars. The issue, which emerged midway through the race, massively hindered their performance. Hamilton, in particular, was vocal about his struggles, candidly expressing post-race that it was ‘the worst race I’ve had, balance-wise.’
Following the race, Ferrari engineers identified a lingering issue affecting both cars, validating Hamilton’s earlier complaints. Despite this discovery, the team advised both drivers to refrain from divulging details about the problem. Hamilton noted that the issue had impacted them significantly from halfway through the race, confirming his suspicion that something was amiss with the vehicle’s balance.
Hamilton’s relief was palpable; acknowledging the problem meant he wasn’t solely at fault for the lagging performance. However, when probed for further insights ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, he maintained his silence due to Ferrari’s directive. His radio comments post-race provided a glimpse into his frustration, as he remarked to race engineer Riccardo Adami, ‘I believe we’ve got something wrong with this car, mate. It’s the worst it’s ever been.’
Gaining a position post-race due to Max Verstappen’s penalty, Hamilton ended up in sixth place. Nevertheless, with Leclerc scoring Ferrari’s three podiums in the season so far, Hamilton realized he needed consistency. Yet, when asked about the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, he expressed confidence in his team’s approach and dismissed the idea of seeking a comeback. He stated, ‘I don’t feel that I’m searching. Of course, a good weekend is always a good thing, but I don’t feel like I’m in desperate need of one.’
Hamilton’s perspective emphasized patience and gradual progress over drastic changes. Despite the challenging scenario and trailing Leclerc by 23 points in the standings, Hamilton showed no signs of panic. He spoke of discussions with engineers and adjusting the car setup, aiming for that elusive ‘sweet spot’ across different tracks. As the Canadian Grand Prix approached, Hamilton hoped for a strong performance to reset Ferrari’s fortunes.
As Ferrari’s mystery unfolds, Hamilton and Leclerc remain hopeful for better days on the track.
