Regardless of one other reasonably nameless race, Lewis Hamilton manages to go away his mark on Leclerc’s magical podium: the decisive battle in Saudi Arabia.
The British champion’s Saudi race was removed from memorable, by no means. Ranging from seventh, the motive force from Stevenage was unable to impose his rhythm on the Mercedes, not like his Monaco teammate. Nevertheless, within the anonymity of Lewis Hamilton’s GP in Jeddah, there was a ray of sunshine: the #44 of Ferrari managed to play a key function in Leclerc’s first podium of 2025, achieved with a real magic.
Charles Leclerc completed the Jeddah GP with an genuine masterpiece: the Monaco driver’s podium got here after a powerful tempo, a masterful assault on George Russell, and a very good protection towards Lando Norris’ comeback. Over the course of the fifty laps on the Saudi observe, the #16 of Ferrari lit up his SF-25 and, with it, the followers’ enthusiasm. Quick lap after quick lap, the 1997-born driver was in a position to catch as much as the Mercedes of Russell, who was reasonably off the tempo beneath the Arabian night time. After overtaking the British driver with out a lot hassle, Leclerc then posted wonderful laps, embracing the “Hammer time” that’s so pricey to his storage teammate.
Whereas the Monaco driver lastly confirmed a aggressive Ferrari, the identical can’t be stated for Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion nonetheless can not discover the correct feeling with this automotive: #44 completed the Jeddah race the place he began, in seventh place. Ending behind the 2 underperforming Mercedes was not a giant supply of satisfaction for the British champion, who was dissatisfied within the crew radio: “I’m completely happy for Charles. I’m sorry I didn’t have the tempo,” he confided to engineer Riccardo Adami on the checkered flag.
Nameless however decisive: Lewis Hamilton Saves Charles Leclerc’s Podium
But, Lewis Hamilton did have a decisive advantage, one which allowed his teammate Charles Leclerc to safe the Jeddah podium. The episode occurred between lap 14 and lap 16, when Lando Norris – recovering from tenth place – reached the exhausts of Ferrari #44. For 2 laps, the McLaren driver, quicker than the Ferrari, tried essentially the most unsuccessful overtaking methods in Jeddah. Lando tried to go Hamilton on the final nook twice in a row, however each makes an attempt failed.
Twice, Lewis Hamilton determined not to surrender and counterattacked. Sir Lewis allowed Lando Norris to go at flip 27, then caught to the rear of the papaya automotive, opened DRS, and re-passed him earlier than flip 1. The identical script was repeated on the 14th and fifteenth laps. On lap 16, Lando Norris realized the flawed technique and altered techniques: Lando hesitated on the final nook and attacked Hamilton at flip 1, efficiently taking the place. Nevertheless, in these two laps, Hamilton’s protection was essential: the time misplaced by McLaren #4 was decisive, and Hamilton’s decided battle allowed Leclerc to take care of a margin of security over Lando Norris for the rostrum on the finish of the race. Due to these 1.2 seconds of benefit within the last laps, the Monaco driver was in a position to defend himself simply from Lando Norris, who had been making a powerful comeback.
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