Did Hamilton make a mistake? Data suggests Mercedes quicker than Ferrari
The Formula 1 preseason test in Bahrain has provided a glimpse into the competitive order for the upcoming 2025 season, and the results may have left Lewis Hamilton wondering if he made a mistake by leaving Mercedes for Ferrari. According to GPS data, Mercedes may be quicker than Ferrari, which could put Hamilton’s quest for an eighth world championship in jeopardy.
Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes, the team with which he won seven world championships, was a shocking move in the driver market. He joined Ferrari, a team with a rich history in Formula 1, with the goal of winning another championship and putting the disappointment of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP behind him. However, if the GPS data is accurate, Mercedes may have made significant strides in the offseason, potentially leaving Ferrari and Hamilton playing catch-up.
The data, which was reported by Craig Slater of Sky Sports F1, suggests that Mercedes may be the second-quickest team in Bahrain, behind only Red Bull. This is a surprising development, given that Mercedes had been relatively quiet in the preseason, while Ferrari had been expected to make a significant step forward. However, the Italian team struggled with consistency and reliability in Bahrain, with Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, experiencing gearbox problems on the third day of testing.
If Mercedes has indeed made a bigger step forward than Ferrari, Hamilton’s decision to leave the Silver Arrows may be called into question. The seven-time world champion had been expected to join a team on the rise, one that could challenge for championships. However, if Mercedes is quicker than Ferrari, Hamilton may find himself in a less competitive car than he anticipated.
Of course, preseason testing is not always a perfect indicator of race-day performance. The first true comparison will come at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, where the competitive order will become clearer. However, if Mercedes consistently outperforms Ferrari in the early rounds of the season, questions about whether Hamilton made the right call will inevitably grow louder.
Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, expressed concerns about his team’s performance in Bahrain, despite the promising GPS data. Wolff noted that Mercedes had not dominated in the cooler conditions, which had been expected to be a strong suit for the team. This has left Wolff wondering if Mercedes has dropped back too far, and whether the team has lost some of its unique performance advantages.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season gets underway, all eyes will be on Hamilton and Ferrari to see if they can challenge Mercedes and Red Bull for the championship. However, if the GPS data is accurate, Hamilton may face an uphill battle in his quest for an eighth world championship.
