Lewis Hamilton anticipates another tricky weekend in the Saudi Arabian GP with Ferrari, expressing concerns over performance struggles at the outset.
- In a candid reflection, Hamilton admits to a ‘backwards’ trend in his Saturday performances, a frustration highlighted by his 13th place finish in FP2.
- Seventh in the championship standings, Hamilton is feeling the pressure with 25 points, lagging behind teammate Charles Leclerc and leader Lando Norris.
- Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains hopeful, pointing to potential car improvements overnight, although tire issues continue to pose significant challenges.
- Experimenting with various setups, Hamilton and Leclerc are striving to optimize their strategies, with Hamilton eyeing a top 10 finish in qualifiers.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is proving to be another challenging venue for Lewis Hamilton as he navigates his new role in Ferrari. Hamilton’s early outings have not gone as planned, with his performance dipping from 8th place in FP1 to 13th in FP2, the session that closely mirrors race conditions. His candid admission of heading ‘backwards’ on Saturdays indicates his struggle to adapt swiftly to the Ferrari SF-25.
Currently seventh in the championship standings, Hamilton feels the pressure as he trails behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who sits in fifth, and leader Lando Norris. The transition to Ferrari has been less than smooth for the seven-time world champion, and the Saudi weekend does not seem to offer much relief.
Hamilton remains pragmatic yet hopeful about upcoming performances, despite acknowledging the car’s current shortfalls. He voiced a glimmer of optimism, citing overnight changes that might boost car performance, although persistent tire issues continue to plague his runs. Hamilton is keenly aware that getting the tires to work effectively remains a crucial hurdle.
Another layer of complexity comes from the experimentation with car setups. Both Hamilton and Leclerc have been testing different configurations, trying to find the ideal setup to maximize their performance. They hope that by sharing insights and potentially converging their setups, they might unlock better synergy as the weekend progresses.
When it comes to qualifying prospects, Hamilton’s outlook is cautious. Exasperated but realistic, he remarked that shooting for a place in the top 10 is his current focus. His acknowledgment of the ongoing struggle with the car’s performance and his candid demeanor illustrates the challenges he faces.
Closing on the thought, it is evident that Hamilton’s patiently working through his Ferrari adaptation period, aiming to squeeze out every bit of performance as the season advances.
Hamilton is facing a tough test in Saudi Arabia but his resilience and strategic approach keep him in the fight under the Ferrari banner.
