Lewis Hamilton recorded his strongest Grand Prix end of the 2025 Formulation 1 season on the Bahrain Grand Prix, crossing the road in fifth place simply behind teammate Charles Leclerc. Whereas the consequence marked a optimistic step ahead, it additionally underscored some persistent challenges inside the Ferrari camp—significantly concerning Hamilton’s capability to extract peak efficiency from his SF-25.
Ferrari left Bahrain with their largest factors haul of the season to this point, 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 12 months for Ferrari, it got here underneath the shadow of each drivers being disqualified from the principle Grand Prix on account 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 observe periods and fell considerably in need of Charles Leclerc’s tempo in qualifying. The difficulties prompted recent scrutiny over whether or not Ferrari are enabling the seven-time world champion to function at his highest stage.
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 presently in a position to maximise the complete potential of their new signing.
Throughout her Bahrain evaluation, Naomi Schiff famous that the seven-time Formulation 1 world champion’s adjustment to life at Ferrari has not been clean. In response to her sources, the staff has to this point 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 getting 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 exhibiting improved competitiveness towards the latter levels of the race. Nonetheless, she identified that Hamilton continues to battle extra on Saturdays than Sundays, with qualifying efficiency lagging behind his ordinary requirements. Nonetheless, she noticed that Hamilton tends to return 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 kind 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 type. He prefers a really low experience top—sitting as near the bottom as doable—however Ferrari have been compelled to lift his automobile’s setup after the disqualification in China. This modification in experience top straight impacts the aerodynamic efficiency and steadiness of the automobile, making it tougher for Hamilton to drive at his finest.
Moreover, Lewis Hamilton continues to be adapting to new techniques and {hardware} at Ferrari, together with unfamiliar braking techniques 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 on account of persistent porpoising points that pressured the staff to compromise on automobile top. That in the end restricted their efficiency—and Ferrari now dangers falling into an analogous sample.
Charles Leclerc, though not fully glad together with his personal equipment, at the very least advantages from in depth expertise inside the staff. His familiarity with Ferrari’s techniques permits him to adapt extra rapidly and work round setup points, one thing Hamilton continues 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 Formulation 1 regulation overhaul approaching, each remaining race in 2025 is essential. Groups are already starting to divert focus towards next-generation vehicles, that means time is operating brief for Ferrari to provide Hamilton a machine able to contending for victories.
If the Maranello staff can’t constantly present the seven-time Formulation 1 world champion with the best instruments—particularly his superb setup—he might proceed to function at a drawback, each towards rivals and his personal teammate. And for a Ferrari staff aiming to return to title rivalry, that must be a serious pink flag.
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