Lewis Hamilton recorded his strongest Grand Prix end of the 2025 Method 1 season on the Bahrain Grand Prix, crossing the road in fifth place simply behind teammate Charles Leclerc. Whereas the outcome marked a constructive step ahead, it additionally underscored some persistent challenges throughout the Ferrari camp—notably concerning Hamilton’s means to extract peak efficiency from his SF-25.
Ferrari left Bahrain with their largest factors haul of the season to date, as each drivers completed within the prime 5. Charles Leclerc got here near securing a podium end however in the end needed to concede third place to Lando Norris, whose McLaren had the sting in race tempo. The battle for third highlighted the efficiency hole that also separates Ferrari from the present championship frontrunners.
Though Lewis Hamilton’s Dash Race victory in Shanghai stays the standout results of the yr for Ferrari, it got here below the shadow of each drivers being disqualified from the principle Grand Prix as a result of technical infringements. Regardless of this, Lewis Hamilton’s Sunday efficiency in Bahrain confirmed encouraging indicators of restoration—although not with out underlying issues.
The Briton endured a difficult weekend general. He struggled throughout observe periods and fell considerably wanting Charles Leclerc’s tempo in qualifying. The difficulties prompted contemporary scrutiny over whether or not Ferrari are enabling the seven-time world champion to function at his highest stage.
Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has reportedly shifted his perspective on Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile swap to Maranello after observing the early season dynamics. In the meantime, Sky Sports activities F1 analyst Naomi Schiff questioned whether or not Ferrari are presently in a position to maximise the complete potential of their new signing.
Throughout her Bahrain evaluation, Naomi Schiff famous that the seven-time Method 1 world champion’s adjustment to life at Ferrari has not been easy. In line with her sources, the staff has to date been unable to run the automotive within the Briton’s most popular configuration, which has led to mounting frustration on each side of the storage. She highlighted how Lewis Hamilton’s temper getting into the race weekend had appeared noticeably subdued, suggesting an absence of vitality or optimism round his efficiency prospects.
Naomi Schiff defined that Ferrari’s new flooring improve did assist shut the efficiency hole, with each Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton displaying improved competitiveness towards the latter levels of the race. Nonetheless, she identified that Hamilton continues to battle extra on Saturdays than Sundays, with qualifying efficiency lagging behind his traditional requirements. Nonetheless, she noticed that Hamilton tends to return alive throughout race situations, demonstrating higher long-run tempo and visibly boosting his vitality when his efficiency improves.
David Coulthard additionally raised questions on Lewis Hamilton’s kind after qualifying, and the commentary of the Rwandan and Belgian racing driver and tv presenter echoed related issues concerning the alignment between driver and machine.
One of many key points at play is Hamilton’s driving type. He prefers a really low experience peak—sitting as near the bottom as potential—however Ferrari had been compelled to lift his automotive’s setup after the disqualification in China. This alteration in experience peak straight impacts the aerodynamic efficiency and stability of the automotive, making it tougher for Hamilton to drive at his finest.
Moreover, Lewis Hamilton remains to be adapting to new programs and {hardware} at Ferrari, together with unfamiliar braking programs that differ from what he used at Mercedes and McLaren. These transitions, although anticipated, have contributed to the teething issues that proceed to have an effect on his efficiency.
The bigger concern for Ferrari is whether or not they can engineer a automotive that matches Hamilton’s particular efficiency window. At Mercedes, the British driver usually discovered himself unable to optimise his setup as a result of persistent porpoising points that compelled the staff to compromise on automotive peak. That in the end restricted their efficiency—and Ferrari now dangers falling into an identical sample.
Charles Leclerc, though not utterly glad together with his personal equipment, no less than advantages from intensive expertise throughout the staff. His familiarity with Ferrari’s programs permits him to adapt extra shortly and work round setup points, one thing Hamilton remains to be studying to navigate.
Ferrari’s first main improve of the season helped enhance general efficiency, however the SF-25 nonetheless lacks the tempo wanted to match McLaren over a full race distance. With the 2026 Method 1 regulation overhaul approaching, each remaining race in 2025 is essential. Groups are already starting to divert focus towards next-generation vehicles, that means time is working brief for Ferrari to provide Hamilton a machine able to contending for victories.
If the Maranello staff can’t persistently present the seven-time Method 1 world champion with the best instruments—particularly his excellent setup—he could proceed to function at a drawback, each towards rivals and his personal teammate. And for a Ferrari staff aiming to return to title competition, that ought to be a serious purple flag.
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