F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton issues devastating statement after…readmore
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has voiced his deep disappointment following another underwhelming performance with Ferrari ahead of the 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. In what’s proving to be a challenging debut season with the Italian team, Hamilton failed to impress during the qualifying rounds, leaving him visibly frustrated and emotionally drained.
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this year after a long and successful stint with Mercedes, had hoped for a fresh start and competitive pace at Imola. Instead, he found himself struggling once again to find balance and grip in the car. He finished the qualifying session in 12th place, narrowly behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, who managed 11th. For a team with Ferrari’s pedigree, missing out on Q3 was a significant blow. It marked their poorest qualifying result of the 2025 season so far.
After the session, Hamilton didn’t hold back his feelings, describing the experience as “devastating.” He admitted that despite signs of progress over the weekend, particularly in practice sessions, the qualifying pace simply wasn’t there. “It’s tough,” he said in a post-session interview. “We were making progress, or so we thought. But when it really mattered, the car just didn’t come alive. The grip wasn’t there, especially on the soft tires, and we couldn’t extract the performance we needed.”
The 39-year-old driver acknowledged that adapting to the SF-25 Ferrari chassis has been a more difficult task than he anticipated. “It doesn’t feel natural,” Hamilton admitted. “I’m still learning how to get the most out of this car. It’s a very different beast compared to what I’ve been used to over the years.”
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, echoed Hamilton’s concerns. He pointed to the car’s narrow operating window and the team’s ongoing struggle to get the best out of the tires as key issues. “The car has potential,” Vasseur said, “but we are consistently struggling to unlock it in qualifying. The tire performance is unpredictable, and that’s hurting both drivers.”
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was one of the most talked-about changes ahead of the 2025 F1 season. The switch was seen as a bold new chapter for both the British driver and Ferrari, a team hungry for its first drivers’ title since 2007. While the partnership showed early signs of promise—Hamilton secured a sprint race win in China—consistency has eluded both him and the team.
Reflecting on his journey so far, Hamilton remains determined to turn things around. “This isn’t the start I wanted,” he confessed. “But I’m not giving up. I know what I’m capable of, and I believe in this team. We’ve got work to do, but I’m committed to learning, adapting, and fighting back.”
As Ferrari prepares for race day at Imola, Hamilton’s focus remains on damage limitation and looking for opportunities during the Grand Prix to climb into the points. While a podium may be out of reach based on qualifying form, Hamilton hopes strategic decisions and race pace will allow him to recover ground.
Fans and experts alike are watching closely as the legendary driver continues his transition with Ferrari. With nearly half the season still ahead, there remains time for Hamilton and the team to find a rhythm and begin challenging the frontrunners more consistently.
In the high-pressure world of Formula 1, expectations are always sky-high—especially for a driver of Hamilton’s caliber. While the road has been rocky so far, his resilience and experience remain among his greatest assets. For now, though, Imola serves as a sobering reminder that success in F1 is never guaranteed, no matter how decorated the driver or historic the team.
