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Hamilton’s Challenge at Bahrain Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton’s performance at Ferrari has surpassed initial expectations, according to Le Mans Series driver Jamie Chadwick, though he may face significant challenges at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
In the first three races of 2025, Hamilton’s most promising finish was seventh place in Japan, followed by a 10th place in Australia during his debut with the Scuderia. Unfortunately, he was disqualified in China for excessive plank wear, despite securing a victory in the sprint race.
After the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton expressed optimism that Ferrari had identified an ongoing performance issue with their car, which he hopes could lead to improvements. Currently, the team trails McLaren by 76 points in the Constructors’ Championship.
Chadwick commented to Sky Sports News about the relationship between Hamilton and Ferrari: “In some respects, it has exceeded expectations. The progress seen in China was significant within just two races. Everything is new for him with this car.” She noted Hamilton’s remarks about potential lingering issues affecting performance in previous races.
As for the Bahrain circuit, Chadwick acknowledged Hamilton’s familiarity with the track from testing, suggesting this familiarity could enhance the team’s chances. However, she cautioned that McLaren’s strong pace would present a formidable challenge for Ferrari: “With McLaren’s speed, it’s going to be tough for them to really make a significant impact.”
McLaren Poised for Success in Bahrain
McLaren has had a stellar start to the season, with Lando Norris winning in Melbourne, followed by Oscar Piastri’s victory in China. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed the top spot in Japan, breaking McLaren’s winning streak and earning acclaim for his performance, which team principal Christian Horner described as “inch-perfect.”
Chadwick suggested that McLaren is particularly suited to the Bahrain circuit, noting that the pre-season testing environment may differ from the actual race conditions this weekend due to hotter temperatures. “While Mercedes generally performs better in cooler conditions, McLaren thrives in heat, which could shift the competitive landscape,” she said.
She also emphasized the importance of driver performance, pointing out that with the field being so closely matched, small mistakes in qualifying could be decisive. “Both McLaren drivers are close in pace, but success hinges on their ability to put it all together during the race weekend,” Chadwick added.
Bahrain GP Schedule
Thursday, April 10
2pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
Friday, April 11
8:50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Bahrain GP Practice One (session starts at 12:30pm)*
1:55pm: F3 Qualifying
2:40pm: F2 Qualifying
3:35pm: Bahrain GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5:15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday, April 12
11:10am: F3 Sprint Race
1:15pm: Bahrain GP Practice Three (session starts at 1:30pm)
3:10pm: F2 Sprint
4:10pm: Bahrain GP Qualifying build-up
5pm: BAHRAIN GP QUALIFYING
7pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday, April 13
10:50am: F3 Feature Race
12:20pm: F2 Feature Race
2:30pm: Bahrain GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
4pm: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
6pm: Bahrain GP reaction: Chequered Flag
7pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 continues its triple-header in Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
Source
www.skysports.com