Lewis Hamilton’s start with Ferrari isn’t living up to expectations, with new challenges arising.
- Ferrari’s SF-25 is facing a peculiar issue when low fuel meets slow corners, impacting Hamilton’s performance.
- Despite a sprint win in China, Hamilton struggles to outperform teammate Charles Leclerc in races.
- Problems with the car’s mechanical grip and ride height sensitivity have been identified as obstacles.
- Hamilton remains determined and optimistic, urging fans to stay hopeful as he navigates this bumpy journey.
Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has been less than smooth, sparking conversations about whether the legendary driver and the iconic team can find the right synergy. The early days are not quite what the fans or Hamilton himself had hoped. Specifically, it appears that Ferrari’s newest model, the SF-25, stumbles when dealing with low fuel levels paired with slow cornering speeds. This unusual combination seems to send the car into what experts call ‘crisis mode’, a scenario that has become a hot topic among F1 analysts.
Hamilton’s most notable triumph has been his victory at the China Sprint, starting from pole position. However, since then, the results have been lackluster with Charles Leclerc, his teammate, consistently finishing ahead in grand prix events. Especially troubling are the last two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, where Hamilton found himself more than half a second adrift of Leclerc during single-lap runs, suggesting a disconnect with the car that might be influencing his overall performance.
Adding to these woes is a flaw in the Ferrari challenger—a problematic mechanical grip issue. The car is reported to be highly sensitive to ride height adjustments, a quirk that led to Hamilton’s disqualification in the Chinese Grand Prix due to excessive plank wear. Adjustments have been made to run the car higher than preferred, but this has yet to translate into desired results, showing the depth of the problem.
Despite these challenges, six-time grand prix winner Ralf Schumacher speculated about the possibility of Hamilton retiring if these struggles continue. But as Hamilton assured fans while speaking at an event in London, he’s far from calling it quits. He urged supporters to ‘keep their fingers crossed’, maintaining that he’s committed to improvement. His words, ‘Still we rise’, resonate with fans hoping for a turnaround in the season.
Currently, Hamilton holds a position of P7 in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing Leclerc by two spots and 16 points. It’s a gap that represents the uphill battle Hamilton faces as he strives to adapt to his new environment with Ferrari.
Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari is just beginning, and the road ahead promises to test his resilience and determination.
