Lewis Hamilton Lambasts Ferrari’s Brake “Lottery” in 2025 F1 Season
In a fiery outburst, Lewis Hamilton has criticized Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 braking system, labeling it a “lottery” as he grapples with adapting to the team’s Brembo brakes. The seven-time world champion expressed his frustration during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, highlighting ongoing challenges he faces since his move from Mercedes to Ferrari.
Despite showing promise during Free Practice 1 at Imola, where Hamilton felt content with the car’s performance, the situation took a sharp turn in Free Practice 2. Hamilton encountered unexpected brake issues, leading to a significant drop in confidence and performance. The British driver expressed his dismay, stating, “The smallest change we’ve done this year. We had some brake issues that made a massive difference, so that was a fight with that.”
The transition from Mercedes’ Carbon Industrie braking system to Ferrari’s Brembo components has been far from smooth for Hamilton. The renowned driver emphasized his struggle with the unpredictability of the brakes from one set to another, highlighting a consistent challenge throughout the season. Hamilton emphasized, “It’s a lottery. We roll the dice, and you put one [set of brakes] on and it works, and you put another on and it doesn’t.”
As Hamilton aims to challenge the front-runners at Imola, the pressure is on Ferrari to address these brake inconsistencies promptly. With the circuit’s demands on late braking and traction, resolving these issues is crucial for Hamilton’s performance in both qualifying and race day.
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains optimistic about finding a solution, especially with more track time available during Saturday’s FP3 session before the intense qualifying session. The spotlight is now on Ferrari to rectify the brake “lottery” conundrum plaguing Hamilton’s 2025 F1 season.