Lewis Hamilton recorded his strongest Grand Prix end of the 2025 System 1 season on the Bahrain Grand Prix, crossing the road in fifth place simply behind teammate Charles Leclerc. Whereas the consequence marked a constructive step ahead, it additionally underscored some persistent challenges throughout the Ferrari camp—significantly relating to Hamilton’s means to extract peak efficiency from his SF-25.
Ferrari left Bahrain with their greatest factors haul of the season up to now, as each drivers completed within the prime 5. Charles Leclerc got here near securing a podium end however finally 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 below the shadow of each drivers being disqualified from the principle Grand Prix resulting from technical infringements. Regardless of this, Lewis Hamilton’s Sunday efficiency in Bahrain confirmed encouraging indicators of restoration—although not with out underlying considerations.
The Briton endured a difficult weekend general. He struggled throughout follow classes and fell considerably in need of Charles Leclerc’s tempo in qualifying. The difficulties prompted contemporary 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 at present capable of maximise the complete potential of their new signing.
Throughout her Bahrain evaluation, Naomi Schiff famous that the seven-time System 1 world champion’s adjustment to life at Ferrari has not been clean. In accordance with her sources, the crew has up to now been unable to run the automotive within the Briton’s most well-liked 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 an absence of power 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. Nevertheless, she identified that Hamilton continues to battle extra on Saturdays than Sundays, with qualifying efficiency lagging behind his traditional requirements. Nonetheless, she noticed that Hamilton tends to return alive throughout race circumstances, demonstrating higher long-run tempo and visibly boosting his power 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 considerations in regards to the alignment between driver and machine.
One of many key points at play is Hamilton’s driving model. He prefers a really low journey peak—sitting as near the bottom as potential—however Ferrari had been compelled to lift his automotive’s setup after the disqualification in China. This modification in journey peak instantly impacts the aerodynamic efficiency and stability of the automotive, making it more durable for Hamilton to drive at his finest.
Moreover, Lewis Hamilton continues to be adapting to new programs and {hardware} at Ferrari, together with unfamiliar braking programs 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 automotive that matches Hamilton’s particular efficiency window. At Mercedes, the British driver usually discovered himself unable to optimise his setup resulting from persistent porpoising points that pressured the crew to compromise on automotive peak. That finally restricted their efficiency—and Ferrari now dangers falling into an identical sample.
Charles Leclerc, though not utterly happy together with his personal equipment, a minimum of advantages from in depth expertise throughout the crew. His familiarity with Ferrari’s programs 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 System 1 regulation overhaul approaching, each remaining race in 2025 is important. Groups are already starting to divert focus towards next-generation automobiles, which means time is working brief for Ferrari to offer Hamilton a machine able to contending for victories.
If the Maranello crew can’t constantly present the seven-time System 1 world champion with the precise instruments—particularly his preferrred setup—he might proceed to function at a drawback, each towards rivals and his personal teammate. And for a Ferrari crew aiming to return to title competition, that needs to be a significant pink flag.
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