Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari in F1 promotion after…..read more
After a rocky start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton and Scuderia Ferrari finally received a positive boost following the Japanese Grand Prix. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially confirmed an upward shift in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship standings for the British driver and the Italian team.
The opening three rounds of the season were particularly tough for Ferrari and Hamilton. The team had only managed to gather 17 points combined from those races. This included a particularly frustrating outcome at the Chinese Grand Prix, where both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were disqualified after the main event. That disqualification had a significant impact on both their individual standings and Ferrari’s place in the Constructors’ Championship, dropping them to a disappointing fifth overall.
However, fortunes changed during the Japanese Grand Prix, held at the iconic Suzuka Circuit. In a solid performance, Charles Leclerc finished the race in fourth place, while Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in seventh. Those results have proven valuable, as the FIA confirmed the updated rankings after the event. As a result, both Leclerc and Hamilton have climbed higher in the Drivers’ Championship standings. Ferrari, too, saw a boost, moving up in the Constructors’ table and positioning themselves closer to the leading teams in the fight for the championship.
While Hamilton and Ferrari had reason to celebrate, the race itself was a showcase of excellence from reigning World Champion Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver produced a commanding drive to clinch victory at Suzuka, once again underlining his dominance on the track. Despite pressure from the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Verstappen held his ground and secured a crucial win.
Norris, who had been leading the Drivers’ Championship going into the Japanese GP, finished in second, with his teammate Piastri taking the final podium spot in third. The result tightened the competition at the top of the leaderboard, with Verstappen now trailing Norris by just a single point. This sets the stage for an intense title battle as the season progresses, with Red Bull and McLaren emerging as major players.
The promotion in the standings is a much-needed morale booster for Ferrari, a team that has faced criticism and pressure after their lackluster start to the year. Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur has been under scrutiny as fans and experts alike expect the legendary team to return to consistent podium contention. The strong showing in Japan could signal a turning point for the Scuderia, especially if they can carry that momentum into the next few races.
For Lewis Hamilton, who is in his final season with Mercedes before his much-anticipated move to Ferrari in 2026, the improved standing offers a bit of redemption. While still getting used to a challenging car setup, his result in Japan showed flashes of his resilience and racecraft.
As the F1 calendar moves forward, all eyes will be on how Ferrari builds on this progress, and whether Hamilton can continue to close the gap to the leaders. The next few rounds could prove pivotal in shaping the championship narratives for both the drivers and their teams.
