In the midst of the Chinese GP fervor, Lewis Hamilton, the recently acquired Ferrari driver, hinted at a secret strategy to boost his performance on the race day. While Hamilton dominated the sprint qualifying and the subsequent sprint race, he found himself puzzled by his sudden lack of pace during the Grand Prix qualifiers.
Despite starting from the fifth position, just a spot ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton let slip that he’s devising a ‘masterplan’ to bolster his performance. The Chinese Grand Prix, the second race of the season, and the first sprint of 2025, posed substantial challenges for all participating Formula 1 teams.
Teams that faltered in Australia, like Ferrari, had their practice time cut short by the sprint format, leading many to predict that the McLarens would set the pace. This was indeed the case during the Grand Prix qualifiers with Oscar Piastri securing the pole position and Lando Norris finishing third.
However, the early stages of the weekend painted a different picture entirely. Hamilton, representing Ferrari, led the pack during the sprint qualifying and won the sprint race by a massive seven-second margin. His performance during the Grand Prix qualifiers, however, left much to be desired. Starting from the fifth spot on the grid, with Leclerc at sixth, Hamilton and his Ferrari seemed to lose their previous momentum.
Addressing the media post-qualifiers, Hamilton revealed that certain modifications were made to the car to correct some issues. Whether it was the wind that threw a wrench in their plans or something else entirely, Hamilton noted that the car became quite unsteady. The changes were intended to enhance race performance but made the single lap more challenging, he admitted.
With the sprint race acting as a glimpse into the Grand Prix, it was evident that the Chinese circuit will test the durability of the tires. Hamilton acknowledged this while discussing his strategy for the race day. “The way we handle the tires will be crucial. Despite the challenges, I am optimistic about tomorrow. My plan is to get a good start, overtake at least one car and gradually work my way up,” he expressed.
Hamilton’s reference to his ‘masterplan’ was delivered with a hint of humor, indicating that he hasn’t lost his spirit amidst the hurdles. Reflecting on his Ferrari debut, he accepted that there would be ups and downs throughout the season. “We didn’t expect to be fifth and sixth, and I didn’t anticipate being where I am. But these are the challenges we’ll face throughout the season. The key is to remain calm,” he concluded.