Ferrari Calls for Improvements After Disastrous Lewis Hamilton De

Ferrari Calls for Improvements After Disastrous Lewis Hamilton Debut

Ferrari is pushing for urgent improvements after Lewis Hamilton endured a disappointing debut with the team at the 2025 Formula 1 season opener in Australia.

The seven-time world champion’s highly anticipated first race with the Scuderia was met with much excitement over the winter break. However, his first outing in Ferrari red proved to be a weekend to forget, as he struggled throughout the Grand Prix and ultimately finished in 10th place. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, fared slightly better but only managed to secure eighth position.

The race in Melbourne saw Lando Norris successfully convert his pole position into a dominant victory, while reigning world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes driver George Russell completed the podium. Meanwhile, Ferrari found themselves battling a range of issues, leaving both drivers far from where they had hoped to be.

Vasseur Acknowledges Ferrari’s Difficult Start

Hamilton arrived at Ferrari with high hopes of returning to championship contention after three frustrating seasons at Mercedes. However, his debut weekend was marred by various challenges, including communication issues between the pit wall and the car. The British driver frequently exchanged tense messages with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, as confusion arose over strategic decisions.

One of the most critical moments of Hamilton’s race came when Ferrari opted to keep him on slick tyres despite worsening weather conditions. The decision proved costly, leaving him struggling for grip and unable to mount a meaningful challenge. These setbacks combined to make his first weekend with Ferrari an uphill battle, falling far short of expectations.

In the aftermath of the race, Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur admitted that significant improvements are needed moving forward. While he dismissed concerns that the team was in crisis, he acknowledged that Ferrari must learn from their mistakes and work quickly to optimize their approach ahead of the next race in China.

“It was our first race together, and communication between the pit wall and the car needs to improve,” Vasseur explained. “We need to understand each other better. It wasn’t a clean weekend at all, and our strategy choices were difficult. We have to find a better way to communicate, but this is something we will learn from. It is not an issue that cannot be fixed.”

Lessons to Take into the Chinese Grand Prix

Vasseur admitted that while Ferrari’s performance in Melbourne was not a total surprise, it was certainly not what the team had hoped for. However, he stressed that their focus must now shift to the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix, where they aim to apply the lessons learned from their Australian struggles.

“We made mistakes, and we need to improve,” Vasseur continued. “Our communication with Lewis needs to be clearer, and we must understand what he requires from the team during the race. Only by going through these experiences can we make progress. I am confident we will be much better next weekend.”

With the second race of the season just days away, Ferrari faces a crucial period of adjustment. While Hamilton remains determined to challenge for the title, his debut in red has highlighted areas that require urgent attention. The pressure is now on the team to resolve their communication and strategy issues to ensure a stronger performance in China.

For Hamilton and Ferrari, the road ahead will be challenging, but both driver and team will be eager to prove that their struggles in Melbourne were only a temporary setback.