Lewis Hamilton ready for championship boost after….read more
Lewis Hamilton’s quest for a historic eighth Formula 1 World Championship has received a much-needed lift following a difficult start to the 2025 season. The British driver, who made the high-profile switch to Ferrari over the winter, experienced a disappointing debut race with the Maranello-based team at the Australian Grand Prix last weekend.
Ferrari, a team traditionally expected to challenge for victories, underperformed significantly in Melbourne. Their struggles were apparent throughout the weekend, with the team lacking pace during critical sessions, both in qualifying and the race itself. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s lead driver alongside Hamilton, could only salvage an eighth-place finish, bringing home a modest points haul for the team. Meanwhile, Hamilton had an even tougher outing, qualifying in eighth position but dropping further down the order to finish in 10th place by the checkered flag.
The result marked a disappointing beginning to Hamilton’s much-anticipated partnership with Ferrari. The move, which was the major talking point of the off-season, had raised hopes that Hamilton could finally claim the elusive eighth championship crown that has narrowly eluded him since 2020. Instead, Ferrari’s lackluster showing in Australia has raised early concerns about their competitiveness in 2025.
However, as Formula 1 now shifts its focus to the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend, Hamilton has been offered a timely morale boost from none other than Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur. Speaking ahead of the Shanghai race, Vasseur expressed full confidence in Hamilton and the team’s ability to bounce back swiftly.
Vasseur acknowledged the team’s poor performance in Australia but emphasized that it is far too early to make sweeping judgments. “Australia wasn’t the start we envisioned, but it’s a long season,” Vasseur remarked. “We know the areas we need to work on, and the entire team is committed to making progress. Lewis brings an extraordinary wealth of experience and talent, and we have full belief in his ability to lead us forward.”
The Ferrari boss also highlighted Hamilton’s professionalism and determination despite the tough outing. “Even with the result in Melbourne, Lewis has been a motivating force within the garage,” Vasseur added. “He’s already helping us fine-tune the car’s balance and pushing everyone to be at their best.”
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari has been seen as a move to reinvigorate both the driver and the team, with Ferrari still chasing its first Drivers’ Championship since 2007. The seven-time world champion, known for his resilience and racecraft, is expected to help Ferrari close the gap to perennial front-runners like Red Bull and Mercedes. Yet, the opening race has highlighted that there is still work to be done.
Nevertheless, the Chinese Grand Prix presents an opportunity for Hamilton and Ferrari to reset and demonstrate their potential. Shanghai International Circuit is a track where Hamilton has enjoyed success in the past, boasting six wins there, making it one of his strongest venues historically.
With Vasseur’s backing and Hamilton’s determination to overcome early setbacks, there remains cautious optimism that the Ferrari-Hamilton partnership can deliver results as the season progresses. “We trust that Shanghai will be a much stronger weekend for us,” Vasseur concluded. “Lewis has the heart of a champion, and we know he will fight to bring Ferrari back to the front.”
As the paddock turns its attention to China, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see if the boost in confidence from his team principal can translate into a stronger performance on track and ignite his championship challenge in earnest.
