Lewis Hamilton’s debut at Ferrari is proving more challenging than anticipated, as highlighted by his performance in Bahrain.
Having dedicated a significant portion of his career to Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton finds himself navigating a steep learning curve at Ferrari. The seven-time World Champion, accustomed to Mercedes’ machinery and dynamics, has yet to find his stride with his new team. His struggles in Bahrain were evident, where Hamilton faced a tough qualifying session, trailing behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. “I’m just not doing a good enough job on my side,” Hamilton candidly admitted, acknowledging the need for improvement in his performance.
The transition hasn’t been smooth, with Hamilton expressing his discomfort with the new car setup, despite improvements noted with recent upgrades. He remains determined to push through this challenging phase, reflecting a mindset of growth and adaptation. “It’s definitely not a good feeling,” Hamilton remarked, indicating his disappointment at being unable to deliver as expected in qualifying, where he finished ninth as opposed to Leclerc’s impressive third place. “The car has improved…it’s just my driving,” he confessed, emphasizing the personal hurdles he faces in adapting to the car’s nuances.
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton’s ability to bounce back was on display during the race, where he climbed from his ninth position on the grid to secure a fifth-place finish. Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur, while recognizing Hamilton’s struggles, also sees his determination as a positive sign. Vasseur noted that replacing years of synergy with Mercedes can’t be achieved in a mere couple of races. “For sure, we need to improve, but this is true for everybody in the team,” Vasseur noted. He appreciates Hamilton’s constructive approach and his readiness to adapt to the Ferrari environment. “It’s good to have Lewis with this mindset…and we will adapt the car to Lewis,” Vasseur emphasized, highlighting the collaborative spirit within the team.
Karun Chandhok, a pundit in the field, mentioned Hamilton seemed “on the floor” after his qualifying performance, a sentiment echoed by those who have witnessed his past seasons. In contrast, Martin Brundle referred to Hamilton’s interviews as “sad,” comparing them to his last challenging season with Mercedes. Hamilton acknowledged the differences in experiences, noting this year’s qualifying is “worse” than his final Mercedes season, yet maintains an optimistic outlook, stating, “Just keep trying, we’ll get there.”
With his current standing seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, Hamilton is significantly behind the leader Lando Norris. Nevertheless, his resolve to break through this initial slump is firm, evidenced by his refusal to be bogged down by these early results.
As Lewis Hamilton grapples with the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari, his determination and potential for growth suggest that better performances are on the horizon. This period of adjustment is both a challenge and an opportunity for Hamilton to evolve further as a driver.
