Lewis Hamilton Faces Early Ferrari Struggles as Brundle Calls SF-25 ‘Really Na….read more
The highly anticipated transition of seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari has drawn significant attention during the 2025 pre-season testing in Bahrain. However, his early experiences behind the wheel of the SF-25 have been met with mixed results. While the car has shown flashes of impressive speed, Hamilton has also encountered challenges adapting to his new machine, raising concerns about Ferrari’s setup and handling characteristics.
Ferrari Splits Final Testing Day Between Hamilton and Leclerc
On the last day of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, Ferrari divided track time between Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc. Leclerc took to the track in the morning session, demonstrating the car’s potential by clocking the fastest lap of the session. This performance reaffirmed expectations that Ferrari has made progress in its 2025 challenger.
In the evening session, Hamilton took over driving duties, logging a total of 47 laps. However, his pace did not match that of Leclerc’s earlier session, as he finished the day with the sixth-fastest time. While pre-season testing is not always an accurate indicator of outright performance, Hamilton’s struggles behind the wheel were evident in the way he handled the SF-25, particularly in certain cornering situations.
Hamilton Battles Handling Issues With SF-25
Formula 1 commentator and racing driver Alex Brundle closely analyzed Hamilton’s onboard footage and highlighted noticeable handling difficulties. Brundle observed that Hamilton faced significant challenges navigating corners, particularly in sections where the rear of the car was exposed to the wind. The British driver struggled with understeer, which limited his ability to rotate the car smoothly through turns.
Brundle described the SF-25’s handling as “really nasty,” suggesting that Ferrari’s current setup might be contributing to these difficulties. He noted that Hamilton appeared to be fighting the car, rather than confidently placing it where he wanted. This contrasts with the precise and controlled driving style that has defined Hamilton’s career, raising questions about how well the Ferrari suits his preferences.
Ferrari Ends Testing Early Due to Technical Precaution
Adding to Ferrari’s eventful day, the team decided to cut their final session short after detecting an anomaly in the telemetry data. Although no major technical failures were reported, the team opted to halt running as a precaution. Given that pre-season testing is crucial for gathering data and fine-tuning car setups before the opening race, losing valuable track time could slightly hinder Ferrari’s preparations.
While it remains unclear whether this anomaly was related to Hamilton’s handling struggles, Ferrari will undoubtedly analyze the data to ensure that their star driver has a more comfortable and competitive car heading into the first race of the season.
What This Means for Hamilton and Ferrari’s 2025 Campaign
Hamilton’s early difficulties do not necessarily indicate long-term trouble, but they do highlight an adjustment period as he transitions from Mercedes to Ferrari. Throughout his career, Hamilton has been known for his ability to adapt to different machinery, and Ferrari will likely work closely with him to refine the car’s setup to better suit his driving style.
Meanwhile, Leclerc’s strong performance in testing suggests that Ferrari has produced a competitive car for 2025. If the team can fine-tune its handling characteristics and improve its stability, both drivers could be in contention for strong results when the season officially begins.
As the F1 world eagerly awaits the opening race in Bahrain, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see if he can overcome these early challenges and establish himself as a serious title contender with Ferrari.
