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Lewis Hamilton Reflects on Learning Curve with Ferrari
In a candid assessment of his early season performance with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton emphasized his ongoing adaptation process to the team’s vehicle setups as a key reason for his inconsistent outcomes. The seven-time world champion acknowledged the challenges he has faced while transitioning from Mercedes to Ferrari, particularly concerning the intricacies of the SF-25’s configuration.
The recent Australian Grand Prix highlighted these struggles for both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc, as they faced difficulties in qualifying despite earlier promising form. Their mixed results continued in China, where Hamilton secured a victory in the sprint race from pole position but subsequently fell short during the grand prix itself, eventually leading to disqualifications for technical violations. This series of events underscored Ferrari’s tepid start to the season, as the team has yet to fully harness the potential speed of their new car.
Insights on Performance Issues
When questioned about the team’s inconsistent performances in the early races of the 2025 season, Hamilton attributed it to several factors, with a particular emphasis on optimizing the car setup. “It’s a combination of probably several different things, but I think mostly just pinning the setup,” he stated. He expressed that he is still familiarizing himself with the vehicle, noting, “I still haven’t tested every item that they have yet.”
Hamilton reflected on a critical decision made regarding his car’s setup during qualifying for the last race: “I made the wrong decision on setup for the Saturday, going into qualifying, which I just had to live with for the race.” He speculated that if he had opted for a different approach, it could have potentially changed the outcome of the race significantly.
Adapting to New Challenges
The transition has not been without its hurdles. Hamilton pointed out that he had not completed a dry-weather race simulation prior to the Grand Prix in China, nor had he experience with Pirelli’s harder C2 tire compound that proved crucial for a successful one-stop strategy. His remarks shed light on the intense preparations and complex adjustments that drivers undergo, often underestimated by those outside the sport.
“When we’re talking about setup and changes that we’re making, all the different graphs that you’re looking at for aero, through-corner balance, mechanical balance, roll balance, all these different things that we’re trying to play with and finesse through a weekend,” Hamilton elaborated. He shared that the past races have been educational, stating, “I was learning a lot throughout the race,” especially during his first experience driving the Ferrari in wet conditions.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on his recent experiences, Hamilton recognized the impact of missing vital testing sessions that his peers had the benefit of utilizing. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about his adaptability, stating, “on reflection I’m quite happy with how I’ve adapted in just those two races. But I’ve definitely got a lot of work to do to make sure that it’s better moving forward.”
As the season progresses, Hamilton’s insights underscore not only the technical challenges of competing in Formula 1 but also the importance of continual learning and adaptation in a highly competitive environment.
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