The Chinese Grand Prix signifies a fresh start for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, after the disappointing first race. The dynamics of their collaboration are already undergoing transformation, following a less-than-ideal debut at the Formula 1, marred by a dreadful qualifying session. Both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc qualified in the fourth row, finally garnering a mere five points together. Leclerc finished eighth while Hamilton placed tenth.
Their performance was affected by the Melbourne weekend’s unique conditions, which the Ferrari car wasn’t ideally suited for. Furthermore, a strategic blunder and chaotic radio communication added to their woes. However, Ferrari’s competitors expect them to bounce back at Shanghai, after the evident underperformance in Melbourne.
Despite the initial hiccups, Hamilton is keen on applying early lessons and optimizing the car as per his preferences. The first sprint weekend of the season limits the time he has to experiment with the car, but it also provides two qualifying sessions and two races, giving him ample opportunity to learn and improve.
Hamilton’s debut performance may not have been extraordinary, but it wasn’t a complete disaster either. The wet race was challenging, being his first in such conditions with Ferrari. He confessed to feeling out of depth, but he managed to make noticeable progress in dry conditions. Although he was occasionally overwhelmed, he was never completely lost.
Hamilton acknowledged his current limitations in addressing specific issues with the car but expressed his eagerness to learn. Despite being a seven-time world champion, he welcomed advice typically given to rookies and stated his intention of taking a more proactive role in the future. He plans to make more informed decisions about setting up the car as he gets more accustomed to it and the team’s operations.
The Australia race also tested Ferrari’s long-standing communication weakness. Hamilton’s exchanges with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, received a lot of attention. Despite the occasional tension, it was a typical driver/engineer interaction during a chaotic rain-hit race. Hamilton did push back when he felt overwhelmed with information, indicating a need to establish a good rapport for efficient future collaborations.
Hamilton also addressed the overblown reaction to his communication with Adami, stating that similar tensions between other drivers often go unnoticed. He emphasized the normalcy of their interaction and the ongoing process of getting to know each other better. He expressed his preferences and needs in terms of communication, minimizing any potential issues.
Ferrari’s strategic decisions during the unpredictable weather in Melbourne also came under scrutiny. By staying out longer than others in the rain, Ferrari missed an opportunity for better results. This decision, which reflected a return to their old habit of poor strategic decisions, resulted in worse outcomes than anticipated. Ferrari will need to address this weakness moving forward.
Despite the disappointing race, Hamilton remained positive and motivated. He stressed on the importance of moving forward and not letting one race define their performance. His optimism and confidence promise an exciting and competitive future for Ferrari.
