Hamilton’s Ferrari Debut Faces Challenges as…read more
Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated debut with Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix did not go as smoothly as many had hoped. The seven-time world champion struggled during the qualifying session, narrowly avoiding an early elimination. He managed to secure a spot in Q3 but finished only P8, a result that left Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, visibly frustrated.
Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari over the winter was seen as a move to reinvigorate his career and return to winning ways. However, his qualifying performance in Melbourne highlighted the challenges that both he and Ferrari still face. While Ferrari had shown promise during pre-season testing, their performance at Albert Park indicated that they still have significant ground to cover if they hope to compete with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s young duo, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
During Q1, Hamilton was in danger of being eliminated early. He struggled to find pace and was on the brink of being knocked out. However, in a crucial final lap, he managed to pull off a strong enough time to advance to Q2. Even then, he was not entirely comfortable with the car’s balance and was unable to push to the limits. By the time he reached Q3, his best effort only earned him eighth on the grid—far from the position he or Ferrari would have liked.
A key factor in Hamilton’s underwhelming qualifying performance was Ferrari’s strategy decisions, which caused confusion and disrupted his rhythm. Sky Sports commentator Ted Kravitz pointed out that Vasseur was particularly displeased with how the team handled their calls. At one stage, Hamilton asked his engineer, Riccardo Adami, whether he should pit for fresh tires. Initially, the team instructed him to box, only to reverse the decision moments later and tell him to stay out.
This sudden change in instructions puzzled Hamilton, who questioned the team’s reasoning. The confusion stemmed from Ferrari’s realization that they had miscalculated their tire strategy and did not have any fresh sets available for Hamilton at that stage of qualifying. As a result, he was forced to stay out longer than planned, running on worn tires, which impacted his ability to improve his lap time.
Vasseur’s frustration was evident, as Ferrari’s execution during qualifying had cost Hamilton a better grid position. The Frenchman has been working to improve Ferrari’s operational efficiency since taking charge, but the mismanagement in Melbourne showed that there is still work to be done. Ferrari’s indecisiveness and lack of coordination in critical moments need to be addressed if they hope to maximize their performance across the season.
Despite the disappointing qualifying result, Hamilton’s P8 starting position still gave him an opportunity to fight for points in the race. However, the session highlighted areas where both he and Ferrari must improve. For Hamilton, adapting to the SF-24 and refining his one-lap pace in qualifying will be crucial. For Ferrari, ensuring clear and decisive strategy calls will be key to avoiding costly mistakes that could compromise their drivers’ results.
As the season progresses, Ferrari and Hamilton will need to work together to close the gap to the frontrunners. While the Australian Grand Prix may not have delivered the dream start many Ferrari fans had envisioned for Hamilton, there is still a long season ahead. Both the driver and the team will be eager to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in the upcoming races.
