F1 News Today: Ongoing Struggles for Hamilton in Jeddah as FIA Issues…. read more
Lewis Hamilton’s challenging weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix continued on Saturday, as the seven-time world champion endured another difficult session in the final practice ahead of qualifying. Despite hopes for improvement after Friday’s practice sessions, Hamilton found himself once again struggling to find pace and rhythm around the fast and demanding Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
The Mercedes driver has been off the pace since Free Practice 1 (FP1), where he failed to make a strong impression, and the issues persisted through Free Practice 2 (FP2) later on Friday. As Saturday’s FP3 session unfolded, Hamilton’s frustrations were evident as he continued to battle with the car’s handling and balance. Mercedes engineers worked through the night to address the problems, but it appears that the adjustments have not significantly improved his performance.
Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, has appeared more comfortable in the W15, adding further contrast to Hamilton’s current struggles. While not leading the timesheets, Russell’s feedback and results have indicated a more stable and predictable car setup, raising questions about why Hamilton is encountering such a difficult time in similar machinery.
To make matters worse, the FIA handed down a verdict on a penalty involving Hamilton. The incident, which took place during one of the Friday sessions, was reviewed by the stewards after allegations that Hamilton had impeded another driver during a hot lap. After analyzing the data and onboard footage, the FIA ruled that Hamilton was at fault and issued a reprimand. Although it wasn’t a grid penalty, the decision adds another layer of frustration to an already difficult weekend for the British driver.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has remained cautiously optimistic, suggesting that the team still has time to find solutions ahead of the qualifying session and the race. However, with Red Bull, Ferrari, and even Aston Martin showing strong performances in the lead-up to qualifying, it may be an uphill battle for Hamilton to find himself in a competitive position.
Fans of the sport and of Hamilton are watching closely, as the 2025 season is shaping up to be a crucial one for him. With his move to Ferrari confirmed for next year, every race now serves as both a challenge and a statement for his final season with Mercedes.
As qualifying approaches, all eyes will be on whether Hamilton can turn his fortunes around—or whether his struggles in Jeddah will carry over into Sunday’s race.
