Lewis Hamilton’s Spanish GP Misery Overshadowed as S…read more
In a dramatic twist at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s continued struggles behind the wheel of his Ferrari were overshadowed by a stunning performance from one of Formula 1’s perennial underdogs—Sauber. The seven-time world champion could only manage a sixth-place finish after a frustrating afternoon in Barcelona, describing his performance as “terrible” in post-race interviews. Hamilton, who had looked promising in Friday’s practice sessions, failed to capitalize on his early momentum and found himself overtaken in the closing laps by none other than Nico Hülkenberg, the veteran German now racing for Sauber.
It was a moment that sent shockwaves through the paddock—not because of Hamilton’s disappointment, but because of what it meant for Sauber. The team, which finished bottom of the constructors’ standings in 2024 with a paltry four points, erupted in celebration as Hülkenberg crossed the line in fifth place. For team principal Jonathan Wheatley, who took the reins in a bold restructuring last year, the result marked a defining moment in Sauber’s resurgence.
In an emotional post-race interview with Motorsport.com, Wheatley expressed pride in the team’s perseverance and paid tribute to the behind-the-scenes effort that has gone into reviving the once-ailing squad. “To see Nico pull off that move on Lewis—one of the greatest drivers in F1 history—and bring the car home in fifth, it’s just incredible,” Wheatley said. “We’ve faced some dark times, but this proves we’re moving in the right direction.”
The result was Sauber’s second points-scoring finish of the season and elevated them above both Alpine and Aston Martin in the constructors’ standings. Considering their last-place finish just a season ago, the turnaround is nothing short of remarkable. Sauber’s improvements have been largely credited to their aggressive mid-season upgrade package, improved reliability, and a refreshed driver lineup featuring Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
While Bortoleto has yet to break into the points, his performance in Spain—finishing 12th—marked a personal best and offered a glimpse into his potential. The Brazilian showed maturity and consistency throughout the race, narrowly missing out on a top-10 result in a tightly packed midfield battle. His steady progress is a promising sign for Sauber as they continue to build for the future.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s continued struggles with Ferrari’s inconsistent 2025 car have raised concerns within the Scuderia. After a rocky start to his return season with the Italian team, the Spanish Grand Prix was another missed opportunity. Despite being in podium contention early on, Hamilton faded in the second half of the race due to tire degradation and poor strategic decisions. Visibly frustrated after the race, he admitted, “We just weren’t good enough today. The car didn’t feel right, and we didn’t execute the strategy well.”
To compound matters, the FIA announced post-race penalties for several drivers for track limits violations and unsafe releases, although these did not affect the final positions of either Hamilton or Hülkenberg. Still, the Spanish Grand Prix served as a powerful reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in Formula 1.
As the 2025 season progresses, stories like Sauber’s are breathing new life into the grid. Their rise from the bottom of the table to legitimate midfield contenders is not only a feel-good story but also a warning to complacent teams that no position is safe. While Hamilton and Ferrari regroup ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, the rest of the paddock is taking notice of Sauber’s remarkable revival.
Formula 1 has always been about more than just the front-runners. In Barcelona, the biggest cheers weren’t for a podium finish—but for a team defying the odds, rewriting its narrative, and proving that passion, perseverance, and smart engineering can turn any story around.
