Hamilton's Ferrari puzzles: What's behind the performance fluctuations!

Hamilton's Ferrari puzzles: What's behind the performance fluctuations!

The 2025 Formula 1 season is proving to be a challenging undertaking for Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari team. Fred Vasseur, the Ferrari team boss, dealt with the seven-time world champion's performance fluctuations in a recent interview. Hamilton's inconsistent results are particularly due to the tires' narrow operating window, which proved critical to his racing success. Hamilton achieved two third places in the sprint races, but his performances in six Grand Prix appearances varied greatly.

A striking setback occurred in the race in Saudi Arabia, where Hamilton finished 30 seconds behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. However, in Miami he was able to recover and achieved third place in the sprint race, despite critical weather conditions. Vasseur emphasizes that external factors, not a lack of speed, account for Hamilton's difficulties. Small mistakes are crucial and can have a big impact on the results.

Variable performances and set-up challenges

In another conversation, Hamilton explained that understanding the set-ups of the Ferrari car is essential to its inconsistent performances. In Australia in particular, both drivers, including Leclerc, struggled during Q3 qualifying despite being strong beforehand. In China, Hamilton recorded a victory in the sprint from pole position, but had to contend with a slower pace in the Grand Prix.

The situation escalated when both Ferrari drivers were disqualified for technical violations during the Shanghai Grand Prix, losing their fifth and sixth places. Hamilton attributed the inconsistent performance to various factors, with set-up decisions playing a key role. He admitted that he had not yet tried all of the Ferrari's set-up options and made a wrong set-up decision in China that prevented him from qualifying. Hamilton is convinced that a better set-up would have put him in the top three of qualifying.

Optimism and next steps

Despite these difficulties, Hamilton remains optimistic and believes in his ability to realize the SF-25's full potential. Regarding the complexity of the set-up changes, he says that it is often underestimated. In the last two races he initially didn't feel comfortable in the car, but had an acceptable pace in the first two days. Technical problems in Bahrain meant he was unable to take part in the test, affecting his preparation.

His sprint in China was also his first 20-lap challenge, and in the race he tested the C2 tires, which were crucial for a successful one-stop race. Hamilton is happy with his adaptation in the first two races, but recognizes that there is still a lot of work ahead of him. The Formula 1 world is eagerly following Hamilton's search for success in the coming races and expects a positive turnaround for the vacant Ferrari driver.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop for Hamilton and Ferrari. The combination of technical challenges and strategic set-up decisions will be crucial for future races this season.

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