The inaugural races of the 2025 Formula 1 season have proven to be a test of mettle for Ferrari, with their newly minted team member, Lewis Hamilton, failing to meet expectations. His dismal performance in the Australian Grand Prix, where he settled for a disappointing 10th place after qualifying eighth, has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism from various quarters.
Hamilton’s struggle was evident as he trailed behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc, over the course of the race weekend. His middling performance was termed as an “embarrassment” by many, including former Ferrari general manager, Peter Windsor. Windsor expressed his disappointment, particularly with Hamilton’s fruitless tussle with Williams’ Alex Albon in the midfield.
Windsor observed, “Throughout the race, Lewis was offered tactical advice on how to surpass Albon, including tips on using DRS and other strategic decisions. Despite his assurance that he could manage, his performance indicated otherwise.”
Adding to Ferrari’s woes, the Chinese Grand Prix served a double blow with both Hamilton and Leclerc disqualified from the main race. While Leclerc’s car was flagged for being underweight, Hamilton faced disqualification due to an excessively worn skid block.
The mounting pressure on Hamilton to justify his place in Ferrari, replacing Carlos Sainz, is palpable. His unimpressive tally of a single point from the first two races sees him trailing behind McLaren’s Lando Norris by a substantial 35 points in the championship standings.
The only reprieve for Hamilton and Ferrari was a sprint race victory in China, which provided a minor boost over Leclerc. This small victory, however, does little to disguise the early-season troubles faced by the team. It appears Ferrari has a rocky road ahead as they strive to regain their competitive edge.
This challenging start to the season signals a high-pressure environment within Ferrari, with a pressing need for Hamilton and Leclerc to step up their game. The hope for a competitive resurgence hangs in the balance as the season unfolds.