Lewis Hamilton, the racing icon, is facing a unique challenge with Ferrari that has left analysts and fans talking. As he navigates his new endeavor with Ferrari, certain patterns in his driving technique seem to mirror his past challenges with Mercedes.
Racing expert and F1 commentator Alex Brundle has observed an intriguing pattern in Hamilton’s racing data. According to Brundle, Hamilton’s tendency to disrupt the Ferrari during high-speed corners is a consistent trait, tracing back to his days with Mercedes. Brundle notes that Hamilton applies more brake pressure than his teammate Charles Leclerc, which is showcased in the wheel-speed patterns and steering traces. This behavior ‘upsets the Ferrari, like everywhere,’ said Brundle, contrasting it with Leclerc’s more measured approach on the brakes.
Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has been a rocky road so far. Despite his victory in the China Sprint starting from pole position, that triumph has faded into the background as he struggles with the Ferrari SF-25. The situation is eerily reminiscent of his final year with Mercedes, where he frequently critiqued his own performance following a significant defeat to teammate George Russell in qualifying. Since joining Ferrari, Hamilton has yet to finish a grand prix ahead of Leclerc, with his qualifying laps showing a noticeable time deficit in races such as the ones in Bahrain and Jeddah.
At the heart of the issue is whether Hamilton can adapt his driving style to better suit Ferrari’s dynamics. Brundle posed an interesting question, wondering if Hamilton could overcome his ingrained driving habits and shift to a style that aligns with the Ferrari car. This is in stark contrast to Carlos Sainz, who, after a rough start similar to Hamilton’s, has begun to adapt successfully to his new team, Williams. As Sainz finds his rhythm, all eyes are on Hamilton to see if he can follow suit.
Brundle’s analysis suggests time is ticking for Hamilton to find his groove. The Ferrari team is yet to see him outperform Leclerc consistently, and as the standings currently show, Hamilton is trailing behind by 16 points. The pressures of high expectations and the relentless F1 schedule add to the uncertainty surrounding his performance future.
In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari is unfolding with unexpected difficulties. As he strives to sync his driving technique to the Ferrari SF-25, the motorsport community watches closely, eager to see if this seasoned champion can conquer his past tendencies and shine anew.
