A Ferrari nonetheless not on the prime and a Lewis Hamilton removed from the entrance positions. Added to that is the hole from Charles Leclerc: the distinction between the 2 is appreciable, a full six-tenths, which on a observe like Jeddah raises concern. Whereas it’s true that the Englishman wants time to adapt to a crew with traits so completely different from Mercedes, the struggles on observe are quite a few.
These difficulties are beginning to present on the face of the seven-time world champion, now not excited and smiling, however gloomy and (apparently) targeted. Earlier than qualifying, Marc Gené admitted that Lewis was one of many final to depart the paddock on Friday evening, an indication of laborious work and the seek for a reference to a automobile that he nonetheless can’t dominate.
A Curse within the First Sector
In response to Matteo Bobbi, each Hamilton and Leclerc misplaced vital time in comparison with their rivals within the first sector, a niche that then turned inconceivable to get well within the following sectors. However within the race, the eventualities may change: “I feel within the race they are often near Russell, that’s their actual objective, as a result of Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri are in one other efficiency dimension. Then the race may provide us numerous insights. They’re lacking one thing, I don’t know if it’s simply the tire or possibly extra mechanical grip [referring to the SF-25]. Even in Suzuka, within the sluggish corners, they struggled loads. It appears this 12 months’s automobile struggles in sluggish corners,” he admitted.
Whereas Leclerc manages to make a distinction, securing the second row regardless of quite a few difficulties, Hamilton fails to shine just like the Monegasque, stopping in seventh place. The Englishman said after qualifying that he was grateful for his Q3 development. A press release that left Mara Sangiorgio, Matteo Bobbi, and Ivan Capelli considerably shocked. Capelli himself admitted what his emotions are concerning the interval Hamilton goes by way of at Ferrari:
“Hamilton Has Misplaced the Enjoyable”
“Hamilton has misplaced the enjoyable. As a result of, on the finish of the day, when a driver will get into the automobile and has to search out half a tenth, a tenth, you do it since you take pleasure in it, since you play with the automobile, you are feeling it. What I see in his eyes is passive, he is aware of what the issues are however can’t discover the options together with his engineers, and he doesn’t take pleasure in it,” he defined.
The Euphoria is Gone
Wanting again on the pre-season assessments, only a month and a half in the past, Sky’s specialists admitted that Hamilton’s adrenaline has diminished in comparison with the start, maybe as a result of actuality checks he’s needed to face. And with Charles Leclerc now absolutely adjusted to the tough actuality of Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton won’t discover it simple to do the identical in a short while.
Compromises are wanted, laborious work, and plenty of elements to check on observe to offer the Englishman larger confidence with this SF-25. A connection that Lewis should additionally attempt to discover, difficult himself in an journey the place the anticipated eventualities have been seemingly very completely different. Now, all that’s left is to let the observe communicate: tonight at 7 PM Central European Summer time Time, the Saudi Arabian GP will begin, the place Ferrari followers are hoping for a Easter miracle from Leclerc and Hamilton.
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