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 end result marked a optimistic step ahead, it additionally underscored some persistent challenges inside the Ferrari camp—significantly concerning Hamilton’s potential to extract peak efficiency from his SF-25.
Ferrari left Bahrain with their greatest 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 primary 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 follow classes and fell considerably in need of 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 degree.
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 at the moment 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 accordance with her sources, the crew has to date been unable to run the automobile within the Briton’s most popular configuration, which has led to mounting frustration on either side of the storage. She highlighted how Lewis Hamilton’s temper coming into the race weekend had appeared noticeably subdued, suggesting a scarcity 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 phases of the race. Nevertheless, she identified that Hamilton continues to battle extra on Saturdays than Sundays, with qualifying efficiency lagging behind his normal requirements. Nonetheless, she noticed that Hamilton tends to come back alive throughout race circumstances, demonstrating higher long-run tempo and visibly boosting his vitality when his efficiency improves.
David Coulthard additionally raised questions on Lewis Hamilton’s type after qualifying, and the commentary of the Rwandan and Belgian racing driver and tv presenter echoed related issues in regards to the alignment between driver and machine.
One of many key points at play is Hamilton’s driving fashion. He prefers a really low experience peak—sitting as near the bottom as potential—however Ferrari had been compelled to boost his automobile’s setup after the disqualification in China. This variation in experience peak instantly impacts the aerodynamic efficiency and steadiness of the automobile, making it more durable for Hamilton to drive at his greatest.
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 automobile that matches Hamilton’s particular efficiency window. At Mercedes, the British driver typically discovered himself unable to optimise his setup as a result of persistent porpoising points that compelled the crew to compromise on automobile peak. That in the end restricted their efficiency—and Ferrari now dangers falling into the same sample.
Charles Leclerc, though not fully glad along with his personal equipment, at the very least advantages from intensive expertise inside the crew. His familiarity with Ferrari’s programs permits him to adapt extra rapidly 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 vital. Groups are already starting to divert focus towards next-generation vehicles, that means time is working brief for Ferrari to present Hamilton a machine able to contending for victories.
If the Maranello crew can not persistently present the seven-time Method 1 world champion with the correct instruments—particularly his preferrred setup—he could proceed to function at a drawback, each towards rivals and his personal teammate. And for a Ferrari crew aiming to return to title competition, that must be a serious purple flag.
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