Breaking: Lewis Hamilton explains qualifying deficit to Charles Leclerc amid Ferrari se…read more

In a landmark career move, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton made his debut with Scuderia Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit. After spending 12 seasons with Mercedes, Hamilton faced the challenging task of adapting to Ferrari’s SF-25 car. Despite his extensive experience, Hamilton struggled during qualifying, securing eighth place on the grid, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who took seventh.
Qualifying Performance
The qualifying session was dominated by McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who secured the front row. Norris claimed pole position, edging out Piastri by a narrow 0.084 seconds. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen took third, while Mercedes’ George Russell lined up alongside him in fourth. Ferrari’s Leclerc and Hamilton were placed on the fourth row, with Leclerc finishing in seventh and Hamilton in eighth.
Hamilton’s qualifying performance was 0.218 seconds behind Leclerc, and 0.877 seconds off Norris’ pole time. In the aftermath, Hamilton described his first race weekend with Ferrari as a “big learning curve,” acknowledging that the team’s starting point was lower than initially expected after preseason testing. The SF-25 car presented a steep challenge, especially in terms of setup and performance balance, making it clear that Ferrari had significant work to do.
Team Reactions
Ferrari’s performance during qualifying left much to be desired, with Leclerc admitting that the team “just didn’t quite have the pace.” He expressed frustration over the car’s lack of speed, especially in high-speed corners, which had hindered their ability to challenge for a top spot. Team principal Fred Vasseur also voiced surprise at the car’s performance, emphasizing that the team needed to find immediate solutions before the race. He pointed out that the car struggled to perform at its optimum level on a track like Albert Park, which required strong high-speed stability.
Looking Ahead
As the weekend progressed, both Hamilton and Leclerc aimed to improve their positions and better understand the SF-25’s capabilities. With the team working on adjustments and fine-tuning the car, there was a sense of cautious optimism within the Scuderia Ferrari camp. Both drivers were determined to improve on their qualifying results and set the stage for a more competitive showing in the coming races. Hamilton, who is no stranger to overcoming challenges, hoped to use the Australian Grand Prix as a stepping stone toward a more successful partnership with Ferrari.