Lewis Hamilton feels his side of the Ferrari garage is underperforming due to…read more
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has voiced his concerns about the performance of his Ferrari car, suggesting there is a significant disparity between his machinery and that of team-mate Charles Leclerc. Following a difficult outing at the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton is urging Ferrari to bring “positive changes” ahead of the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.
Despite high expectations for Ferrari heading into the 2025 Formula 1 season, the Italian team has so far struggled to deliver consistent race pace. While Hamilton managed to secure a sprint victory in China earlier in the campaign, Ferrari has yet to match the pace of front-runners Red Bull and McLaren in full-length races.
In Japan, Ferrari’s performance again fell short of the mark. Leclerc crossed the finish line in fourth place, well behind race winner Max Verstappen, while Hamilton could only manage seventh. That position was just one spot higher than where he had qualified, indicating a lack of competitiveness in race conditions.
Reflecting on his own performance, Hamilton was candid about the challenges he’s been facing since joining the Scuderia.
“I’m really hoping in the next race we’ll see hopefully some positive changes,” he said. “Through the first three races there’s been a bit of a deficit between both sides of the garage on some elements of the car. On my side, underperforming. So it’s good to know. With what I had, that is the best result I could get.”
Hamilton’s comments hint at an internal imbalance within the team setup. While both drivers are racing for the same team, it appears Leclerc’s car is currently benefiting from a better balance or more optimized setup. Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this season from Mercedes in a high-profile move, has found himself in the unusual position of being outpaced by his teammate in both qualifying and race conditions.
Ferrari’s early-season campaign has also been marred by regulatory issues. The team suffered a double disqualification in China, where both cars were found in breach of Formula 1 regulations — specifically related to excessive skid block wear and car weight. These infractions led to both Hamilton and Leclerc being stripped of their results, compounding the team’s struggles.
In Suzuka, Hamilton was the only driver among the top ten finishers to improve on his starting position, overtaking rookie Isack Hadjar early in the race. However, his progress halted soon after, and he was unable to challenge the cars ahead. Ferrari attempted an alternative strategy by starting Hamilton on the hard compound tyres, hoping for a late-race advantage. The plan, however, failed to pay off as the performance gap remained too large.
Leclerc, meanwhile, was unable to keep up with the dominant Red Bull of Verstappen and the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The top three quickly pulled away, leaving the Ferrari pair to contend with the midfield battle. Leclerc’s fourth-place finish was a decent recovery, but far from where Ferrari expected to be this season.
Hamilton acknowledged the car’s limitations after the race, noting, “My pace, I think, was maximum today. I didn’t have anything else in the car.”
The British driver’s frustration is understandable. After years of competing for wins and titles with Mercedes, he joined Ferrari in pursuit of a new challenge and the hope of returning the Italian team to championship glory. But so far, the results have not matched the ambition.
Ferrari, for their part, will be under pressure to resolve the issues quickly. With the season still in its early stages, there is time to recover, but the competition is fierce. Red Bull remains the team to beat, while McLaren has emerged as a serious threat with their consistent performances and strategic excellence.
As the paddock shifts focus to Bahrain, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see how they respond. The Bahrain International Circuit presents a different kind of challenge, and it could offer the team an opportunity to reset and refine their approach. For Hamilton, it will be a crucial moment to regain momentum and show that he can compete on equal footing with Leclerc — and eventually with the championship contenders.
Until then, the seven-time champion remains grounded but hopeful.
“I’ve been through these kinds of weekends before,” he said. “The team knows where we need to improve. We just need to make sure the right steps are being taken.”
Only time will tell whether Ferrari can provide Hamilton with the machinery he needs to return to the front of the grid. For now, the gap Remains, and the work continues.
