BREAKING:Lewis Hamilton suffers Severe DAMAGE following…read more
Lewis Hamilton Battles Ferrari Setbacks: Floor Damage and Brake Woes Hamper Imola Weekend
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated debut season with Ferrari continues to be plagued by technical challenges, with the seven-time world champion experiencing a difficult race weekend at Ferrari’s home Grand Prix in Imola.
During the final practice session (FP3) of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Hamilton suffered floor damage to his SF-25 after running wide at Turn 18—known as Rivazza. The off-track excursion not only disrupted his session but also resulted in a compromised setup, with Hamilton finishing a distant 10th, nearly 0.9 seconds behind the pace-setter, McLaren’s Lando Norris.
The floor damage has added to a growing list of issues Hamilton has faced since his switch from Mercedes. Most concerning has been a persistent problem with Ferrari’s braking system. Hamilton openly described the braking performance as a “lottery,” noting inconsistency in how the car responds during deceleration. Despite having transitioned from Mercedes’ Carbon Industrie braking setup to Ferrari’s Brembo system, Hamilton was clear that the underlying problem isn’t the change itself but the unpredictable behavior of the brakes.
“It’s not about adapting,” Hamilton said in an interview after the session. “It’s just that the car doesn’t feel consistent when I’m braking. You never quite know what you’re going to get.”
These technical frustrations have so far prevented Hamilton from making a meaningful impact in his first season with the Scuderia. While teammate Charles Leclerc has shown stronger form, even contending for wins and podiums, Hamilton has yet to finish higher than fifth, a result he achieved in the season opener in Bahrain.
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains composed and focused. He’s praised the team’s efforts and is confident that solutions are being pursued behind the scenes. Ferrari engineers are reportedly working overtime to address aerodynamic sensitivity and braking inconsistencies before Sunday’s race.
“Of course, it’s not the start we wanted,” Hamilton said. “But this team has heart, and I believe in what we’re building here.”
As Ferrari look to reclaim their dominance in Formula 1, all eyes will be on whether Hamilton and the team can turn their fortunes around—starting with a strong recovery in Sunday’s Grand Prix at Imola.
