Regardless of one other quite nameless race, Lewis Hamilton manages to depart his mark on Leclerc’s magical podium: the decisive battle in Saudi Arabia.
The British champion’s Saudi race was removed from memorable, under no circumstances. Ranging from seventh, the driving force from Stevenage was unable to impose his rhythm on the Mercedes, not like his Monaco teammate. Nevertheless, within the anonymity of Lewis Hamilton’s GP in Jeddah, there was a ray of sunshine: the #44 of Ferrari managed to play a key position in Leclerc’s first podium of 2025, achieved with a real magic.
Charles Leclerc completed the Jeddah GP with an genuine masterpiece: the Monaco driver’s podium got here after a formidable tempo, a masterful assault on George Russell, and a very good protection towards Lando Norris’ comeback. Over the course of the fifty laps on the Saudi monitor, the #16 of Ferrari lit up his SF-25 and, with it, the followers’ enthusiasm. Quick lap after quick lap, the 1997-born driver was in a position to catch as much as the Mercedes of Russell, who was quite off the tempo underneath the Arabian night time. After overtaking the British driver with out a lot hassle, Leclerc then posted glorious laps, embracing the “Hammer time” that’s so expensive to his storage teammate.
Whereas the Monaco driver lastly confirmed a aggressive Ferrari, the identical can’t be mentioned for Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion nonetheless can’t discover the precise feeling with this automotive: #44 completed the Jeddah race the place he began, in seventh place. Ending behind the 2 underperforming Mercedes was not an enormous supply of satisfaction for the British champion, who was dissatisfied within the workforce radio: “I’m completely happy for Charles. I’m sorry I didn’t have the tempo,” he confided to engineer Riccardo Adami on the checkered flag.
Nameless however decisive: Lewis Hamilton Saves Charles Leclerc’s Podium
But, Lewis Hamilton did have a decisive benefit, one which allowed his teammate Charles Leclerc to safe the Jeddah podium. The episode occurred between lap 14 and lap 16, when Lando Norris – recovering from tenth place – reached the exhausts of Ferrari #44. For 2 laps, the McLaren driver, quicker than the Ferrari, tried probably the most unsuccessful overtaking methods in Jeddah. Lando tried to move Hamilton on the final nook twice in a row, however each makes an attempt failed.
Twice, Lewis Hamilton determined not to surrender and counterattacked. Sir Lewis allowed Lando Norris to move at flip 27, then caught to the rear of the papaya automotive, opened DRS, and re-passed him earlier than flip 1. The identical script was repeated on the 14th and fifteenth laps. On lap 16, Lando Norris realized the flawed technique and altered techniques: Lando hesitated on the final nook and attacked Hamilton at flip 1, efficiently taking the place. Nevertheless, in these two laps, Hamilton’s protection was essential: the time misplaced by McLaren #4 was decisive, and Hamilton’s decided battle allowed Leclerc to keep up a margin of security over Lando Norris for the rostrum on the finish of the race. Because of these 1.2 seconds of benefit within the remaining laps, the Monaco driver was in a position to defend himself simply from Lando Norris, who had been making a powerful comeback.
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