Lewis Hamilton recorded his most spectacular Grand Prix outcome since becoming a member of Ferrari, ending fifth on the Bahrain Grand Prix. Regardless of a irritating qualifying session that left him ninth on the grid, Hamilton made up floor on race day, exhibiting sturdy race tempo and strategic consciousness.
A key second got here with the well timed deployment of the security automobile forward of his second pit cease, which allowed him to take care of momentum. Throughout his second stint on medium tyres, Hamilton demonstrated glorious velocity and executed a number of clear overtakes—together with a symbolic transfer on long-time rival Max Verstappen. Though he finally dropped again from the lead group of George Russell, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc after the restart, Lewis Hamilton crossed the end line in fifth place. He later sounded notably extra upbeat than he had through the qualifying session and was voted Driver of the Day by followers.
Whereas he did win the Dash Race in China earlier this season, his disqualification from the principle race in Shanghai had beforehand left him with out a top-six end to his identify. That modified along with his efficiency in Bahrain, the place he superior to seventh within the drivers’ standings.
Hamilton Strikes Away from Excessive Setup Modifications After Becoming a member of Ferrari
Final season, the Briton concluded the championship in seventh place—his lowest-ever end in System 1—and repeating that end in 2025 will surely not meet his expectations. Nonetheless, he seems to be constructing a stronger relationship with Ferrari’s SF-25, as latest feedback counsel a shift in his strategy to automobile setup.
After Sunday’s race, Hamilton expressed his intention to comply with a extra steady improvement path, just like that of teammate Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver reportedly picks a setup route early within the weekend and infrequently strays removed from it. Hamilton indicated that he plans to start the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend from a extra steady baseline and can incorporate classes discovered through the Bahrain weekend into his preparation.
The Telegraph interpreted Hamilton’s statements as a transparent sign that he’ll not have interaction within the form of radical setup experiments that turned frequent throughout his last years at Mercedes. These unconventional changes have been famously known as “wacky” by Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin, notably in reference to Lewis Hamilton’s strategy through the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix. In truth, Lewis Hamilton was identified to experiment with automobile steadiness over a number of seasons in Brackley, typically pushing past standard limits.
Stefano Domenicali Sees Encouraging Indicators for Ferrari and Hamilton
Hamilton’s choice to shift away from excessive experimentation is more likely to be welcomed by followers, a lot of whom have voiced considerations over the dangers he has traditionally taken with setup configurations. Following a disappointing qualifying efficiency in Japan—the place Lewis Hamilton admitted to creating the improper setup calls and certified 5 locations behind Leclerc—some supporters even described his strategy as “embarrassing.” Even McLaren’s Lando Norris has acknowledged that Hamilton continues to be adjusting to his new surroundings at Ferrari.
The Italian aspect debuted an improve package deal in Bahrain, highlighted by a redesigned ground. Though the Maranello group continues to be chasing its first podium of the season, the group delivered its best general efficiency thus far.
In the meantime, former Ferrari group principal and present Liberty Media CEO Stefano Domenicali stays optimistic. He has expressed confidence that Ferrari might be able to profitable races in 2025, citing the more and more slim efficiency margins among the many front-running groups. Whether or not that prediction might be sufficient to fulfill the ever-demanding Tifosi stays an open query—however Bahrain supplied no less than a touch of what Hamilton and Ferrari is perhaps able to when issues start to click on.
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