Hamilton Remains Optimistic About Ferrari Future Despite Tough Start to 2025 Season
Lewis Hamilton is not letting a disappointing start to the 2025 Formula 1 season cloud his optimism for what he can achieve at Ferrari. The 40-year-old made a surprise blockbuster move to the Scuderia over the winter after 12 successful campaigns with Mercedes, where he won six of his record-equalling seven world titles. However, his season thus far has been marred by underwhelming results, with Hamilton sitting seventh in the championship and yet to reach a grand prix podium.
Current State of Affairs
Despite securing a sprint win in Shanghai, Hamilton’s performance has been inconsistent. The Briton faced challenges during the recent Miami Grand Prix, finishing third in the sprint but slipping to eighth in the main race after qualifying in twelfth. “I generally had a good day,” Hamilton remarked post-race. “Eighth doesn’t really look like that, but I feel optimistic for the future.”
Challenges with Performance
Hamilton has identified performance issues as a critical obstacle for Ferrari. “I think this car really does have performance, but something’s holding us back,” he stated. “We’ve lost performance since China, and it’s just we can’t use it.” As the team strives to rectify these issues, Hamilton remains hopeful that improvements can be made.
Team Dynamics: Hamilton and Leclerc
Much of the Miami race was characterized by radio exchanges between Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc, as both drivers vied for position. Leclerc, who finished seventh, has also struggled this season, currently sitting fifth in the championship. After a pre-race crash, he expressed his own frustrations, stating, “Today wasn’t the Sunday we wanted, and even though the pace is not there, I don’t think there were any miracles.”
Looking Ahead: Imola and Beyond
Both drivers look forward to a potentially better performance at the upcoming race in Imola, with Leclerc optimistic yet cautious as they eye their next home event in Monaco. “I think Imola maybe could be good,” he said, but added, “Unfortunately, I’m really not looking forward to Monaco this year as I don’t think we’ve got a car to be great there.”
Conclusion
As Ferrari navigates a rocky start to the season, both Hamilton and Leclerc are focused on finding solutions to improve their performance on the track. While optimism still lingers, the path ahead is fraught with challenges that the Scuderia must overcome to regain their competitive edge in Formula 1.
