In a dramatic expression of frustration, Lewis Hamilton compared driving the Ferrari SF-25 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to dancing with a partner completely devoid of rhythm.
Despite the vehicle not being ideally suited for the track, Hamilton muscled the SF-25 to a respectable P5 in qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix. Known for his prowess on this circuit, where he has claimed victory seven times, Hamilton painted a vivid picture of his challenge, likening the car to ‘someone that can’t dance.’ Speaking to Canal+, he remarked, “This car, it’s like someone that can’t dance, and someone that has no rhythm. So it’s like trying to get someone that doesn’t have rhythm to have rhythm. It’s very very difficult.”
For Hamilton, the qualifying session marked a milestone, as he managed to outqualify his teammate Charles Leclerc for the second consecutive race. Hamilton’s time secured him P5, while Leclerc settled for P8. However, the struggle was apparent as Hamilton humorously commented on the car’s lack of rhythm. “That’s how it feels with this car,” he shared, highlighting the uphill battle the weekend had been.
Yet, Hamilton also found a silver lining, noting that the team showed signs of improvement. “I feel we’ve progressed coming into today, so that was a positive,” he told reporters. There had been challenges in earlier practice sessions (FP1 and FP2), with issues like the vehicle’s floor and rear wings affecting performance. These problems often left the team scrambling to make up ground in practice sessions, a cycle Hamilton was glad to see broken with recent progress.
Hamilton elaborated on how he adapted his driving style to better manage the Ferrari on the track, acknowledging that it was far from its optimal performance on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. “I think probably today, most progress came from my driving,” he admitted. Adapting to the SF-25 required significant changes, particularly in handling low-speed corners where responsiveness was lacking. “It’s definitely not suited for this circuit,” he concluded, acknowledging the car’s limitations.
This season, Hamilton is sitting sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing Leclerc by one position and 23 points. While the challenges with the Ferrari are evident, the Canadian Grand Prix represented an opportunity for Hamilton to leverage his experience and skill in overcoming the mechanical shortcomings of the SF-25.
Hamilton’s candid remarks provide a window into the struggles faced by even the most seasoned drivers when their machine is not up to par. His ability to adapt and find progress in a challenging situation speaks to his skill and determination on the track.
