Formula 1: Ferrari’s Struggles Revealed in 2025 Season
Fans of Formula 1 (F1) have felt a slight unease after hearing a concerning comment from Lewis Hamilton over the team’s radio after Bahrain Grand Prix qualifiers. The startling comment from Hamilton, however, revealed the reality of his struggle this season with Ferrari, especially after only grabbing a lone victory in the sprint in China.
Ferrari’s expectations for 2025 doesn’t seem to align with the current performance, giving room for a sense of disappointment. The qualifying rounds, in particular, revealed an uneasy finale for Hamilton as he laboured to maintain pace.
Hamilton’s partner at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, will begin Sunday’s sprint from a relatively better third position, while Hamilton encounters a further setback as he is set to be a spot behind the ninth starter, Carlos Sainz of Williams.
Hamilton’s dissatisfaction was clearly visible but it’s his expression over the team radio that raised alarm among F1 spectators. He expressed his regret saying, ‘Sorry guys… I’m sorry man, really sorry.’ His unusual message led to widespread discussion among fans who couldn’t help but feel concerned.
When probed about the reason behind his apologies on the radio, Hamilton cited his underwhelming performance. He calmly accepted without pointing any specific reasons, ‘It happens every Saturday’. This acceptance of poor performance from Hamilton confirmed fans’ concerns.
Leclerc, post-qualifiers, expressed surprise and contentment about his position. He did not anticipate such an accomplishment saying, ‘Honestly I didn’t expect P3. As soon as we put the new tyres on, it was quite a bit better – I’m happy.’
He further shared how he and his team had been testing extreme setups for the race in the past few weekends. Leclerc commended his team’s efforts for managing to push out critical upgrades, although the gain, according to him, was modest and not overwhelming.
Ferrari’s preparedness was evident in Bahrain as they brought a significantly upgraded package for the race. However, it didn’t seem to bridge the gap between them and McLaren as the spectators might’ve anticipated.
Despite their advancements, Ferrari continues to trail behind McLaren. The flaw was all the more obvious with Oscar Piastri of McLaren winning the coveted pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Ferrari exhibited strong potential during the initial stages of the second practice, which took place under the coolness of the night. Regardless, McLaren revealed their superior power when the teams set up their qualifying simulations.
Hamilton’s concern talks volumes about the struggles of Ferrari and the yet unmet expectations for 2025. While there’s still a long way to go, the performance so far has raised valid concerns among not just the team members but also the fans.
Charles Leclerc’s statement following the qualifiers serves both as a spark of hope and a reality check of the team’s current position. His surprise at securing third place suggests the team’s struggle, but also hints at the possibilities ahead.
In conclusion, the early stages of the 2025 F1 season have brought unforeseen challenges for Ferrari and Hamilton. With continuous efforts and a collective push towards improvement, the team and Hamilton remain hopeful amidst the undercurrent of concern.