Lewis Hamilton ‘Really Struggling’ as....

Lewis Hamilton ‘Really Struggling’ as….read more

Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain concluded with plenty of talking points, and one of the most intriguing was Lewis Hamilton’s apparent struggle with the Ferrari SF-25. The seven-time World Champion, who made the high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, had a tough session on the final day of testing.

Hamilton split running duties with his teammate Charles Leclerc on Friday, with the Monegasque driver setting the pace in the morning session. Leclerc’s performance had been strong, and he topped the timesheets before handing the car over to Hamilton for the evening session. However, things did not go as smoothly for the Briton.

Hamilton managed to complete 47 laps before Ferrari ended his session prematurely, citing a precautionary measure after detecting an “anomaly on the telemetry.” While the team did not elaborate further on the nature of the issue, it was enough to cut short Hamilton’s track time, preventing him from adding more mileage in the SF-25.

Brundle Criticizes Ferrari SF-25’s Handling

F1 pundit Alex Brundle, son of Sky Sports commentator and former F1 driver Martin Brundle, analyzed Hamilton’s onboard footage from the session and was not impressed by the way the Ferrari SF-25 behaved on track.

Brundle remarked that the car looked “really nasty” in Hamilton’s hands, suggesting that the handling was far from ideal. His comments hinted at possible instability or difficulty in controlling the car, which could pose challenges for Hamilton as he adjusts to life at Ferrari after spending over a decade with Mercedes.

Hamilton eventually finished the session with the sixth-fastest time of the day, but the concerns raised about the SF-25’s handling could be a cause for concern heading into the first race of the season. Ferrari, however, will be analyzing the data collected throughout the three-day test to ensure they make the necessary adjustments before the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Ferrari’s Pre-Season Testing Performance

Despite Hamilton’s difficulties, Ferrari’s overall performance in pre-season testing was encouraging. Leclerc’s pace in the morning session suggested that the SF-25 has strong potential, and the team will be looking to capitalize on any weaknesses from their rivals.

Pre-season testing is not always an accurate indicator of race performance, as teams often run different fuel loads, test various setups, and avoid revealing their true pace. However, Ferrari’s ability to top the timesheets with Leclerc shows that they are at least competitive.

The challenge for Ferrari will be ensuring that both drivers can extract maximum performance from the car. If Hamilton continues to struggle with the SF-25’s handling, it could put the team on the back foot as they try to mount a title challenge against the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes.

Hamilton’s Adaptation to Ferrari

Joining Ferrari was a bold move for Hamilton, who is embarking on a new chapter in his illustrious career. After winning six of his seven World Championships with Mercedes, he is now tasked with leading Ferrari’s charge for their first title since 2007.

However, adapting to a new team and car is never easy, even for a driver of Hamilton’s caliber. Each F1 car has unique characteristics, and the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari may require time for Hamilton to fully understand and extract the best performance from the SF-25.

While his struggles in pre-season testing are not necessarily an indicator of how the season will unfold, they do highlight some early teething issues that both Hamilton and Ferrari must address. If they can iron out these difficulties, Hamilton’s experience and racecraft could prove invaluable in Ferrari’s pursuit of championship glory.

Looking Ahead to the Bahrain Grand Prix

With pre-season testing now complete, the focus shifts to the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. The race will provide a clearer picture of where each team stands in terms of performance.

For Ferrari, the biggest question will be whether Hamilton can overcome the difficulties he faced in testing and deliver a strong performance in his first race with the Scuderia. If he struggles, it could raise further questions about the SF-25’s handling and competitiveness over a race distance.

As always, the true competitive order will only be revealed once the lights go out in Bahrain. But with Red Bull still looking strong and Mercedes eager to fight back, Ferrari will need to ensure they have both Hamilton and Leclerc in peak form if they want to challenge for victories this season.