Lewis Hamilton ‘concern’ emerges before Australian GP as Mercedes prepare gift
The highly anticipated 2025 Formula 1 season is just around the corner, with the Australian Grand Prix set to kick off the action in a matter of days. As the excitement builds, all eyes are on the upcoming battle between the top teams and drivers. One of the most highly anticipated storylines of the season is Lewis Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari, as he looks to add to his impressive tally of seven world titles.
However, Hamilton’s new teammate, Charles Leclerc, is not going to make things easy for him. Leclerc’s exceptional qualifying record has been a topic of discussion among F1 pundits, with many believing that it will be a significant challenge for Hamilton to overcome. According to former F1 driver Karun Chandhok, Leclerc’s qualifying prowess is a “genuine concern” for Hamilton.
Chandhok, who spoke on The Fast and The Curious podcast, pointed out that Hamilton struggled with qualifying last season, while Leclerc excelled in this area. This could potentially put Hamilton at a disadvantage, particularly if he finds himself starting behind Leclerc on the grid. As Chandhok noted, the gaps between the top drivers are extremely tight, and losing even a few seconds in the first stint could prove costly.
Leclerc’s ability to hold onto his advantage once he has gained it is well-documented, and Chandhok believes that this could be a major challenge for Hamilton to overcome. “I think that actually if Lewis is three, four places behind Leclerc on the grid, and he could be because the gaps are so tight… if he loses five, six seconds in the first stint coming through, Leclerc is now too good to give up that advantage,” Chandhok explained.
As the season gets underway, all eyes will be on the battle between Hamilton and Leclerc, as well as the other top teams and drivers. Reigning constructors’ champions McLaren will be looking to build on their success from last season, with Lando Norris fancied by many to challenge for the title. Mercedes, meanwhile, will be hoping to remain competitive in their first season without Hamilton, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli leading the charge.
With the Australian Grand Prix just around the corner, the stage is set for an exciting and unpredictable season of Formula 1. Will Hamilton be able to overcome the challenge posed by Leclerc’s qualifying record, or will the young Ferrari driver prove to be too strong? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the 2025 Formula 1 season is going to be an absolute thriller.
