Ferrari uncover main qualifying flaw leaving Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 F1 title hopes beneath menace
The 2025 Method 1 season was supposed to supply Lewis Hamilton the clear slate he sought following a difficult last marketing campaign with Mercedes. After a uncommon setback in his illustrious profession, the place he was outscored by teammate George Russell by 22 factors, Hamilton was banking on a revival with Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion, now 40, had causes for optimism as Ferrari closed out 2024 on a robust be aware. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz had almost overhauled McLaren for second within the Constructors’ standings, and each mid-season growth introduced tangible efficiency features for the Scuderia.
Nonetheless, the beginning of the 2025 Method 1 season has not lived as much as expectations, regardless of Lewis Hamilton’s initially upbeat evaluation throughout winter testing. Whereas Lewis Hamilton spoke positively about Ferrari’s potential, the Monegasque had been extra cautious, and his skepticism appears to have been justified though his efficiency improved considerably after the introduction of Ferrari’s first improve bundle in Bahrain.
Ferrari’s qualifying struggles traced to floor clearance flaw affecting Lewis Hamilton
An in-depth report from Italian each day newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has make clear the technical problem presently hampering Ferrari — a difficulty crew principal Fred Vasseur should urgently resolve if the crew is to salvage its season. Over the winter, Ferrari focused qualifying efficiency, aiming to construct on the meager 4 pole positions achieved throughout 24 races in 2024. But up to now, 2025 has delivered few highlights in qualifying trim.
Other than Hamilton’s gorgeous Dash Race pole in China, Ferrari drivers have struggled to characteristic on the sharp finish of the grid. The only front-row begin got here courtesy of the Monegasque in Bahrain, the place he lined up beside Oscar Piastri however finally did not convert the place right into a podium.
In accordance with the Italian media, the underlying problem lies within the SF-25’s excessive sensitivity to floor clearance when operating with an empty gasoline load. The automotive reportedly enters a “disaster” state when it transitions into slower corners that demand greater ranges of mechanical grip in comparison with aerodynamic downforce. Whereas Ferrari’s newly launched flooring has considerably mitigated the issue, it has not eradicated it.
The crew now faces a vital choice: how a lot effort ought to they commit to rectifying a 2025-specific problem, understanding that the upcoming 2026 Method 1 laws will render a lot of this yr’s growth work out of date?
Lewis Hamilton’s season compromised by Ferrari’s setup miscalculation
For Lewis Hamilton, the bottom clearance dilemma is a well-recognized — and irritating — theme. Through the 2023 season, he was disqualified from america Grand Prix for extreme plank put on, and Mercedes’ overcorrection in Brazil, the place they raised his experience peak an excessive amount of, left him uncompetitive.
Quick-forward to 2025, and historical past appears to be repeating itself. Though Lewis Hamilton claimed a superb Dash Race victory in Shanghai, he was unable to copy that success within the Grand Prix itself, whereas Charles Leclerc additionally suffered, being disqualified because of his automotive being underweight.
Considerably, Ferrari had not confronted such floor clearance considerations in 2024, a element that probably gave the Briton confidence when committing to his transfer. Sadly, he now finds himself hamstrung by a automotive that struggles when it needs to be at its greatest — operating low to the bottom, the place the seven-time Method 1 world champion historically excels.
Since Shanghai, Lewis Hamilton’s competitiveness has been fleeting. The hole between him and Charles Leclerc in qualifying classes has been alarming, emphasizing the urgency for Ferrari to right their design flaws. In the event that they fail to present the Briton a platform to problem, the veteran dangers falling dangerously adrift within the Drivers’ Championship standings throughout what was presupposed to be his nice comeback season.
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