Lewis Hamilton finishes seventh in qualifying. On the wheel of his Ferrari, he was anticipated to make progress. In F1, confidence with the automobile is essential, and missing it means being sluggish. On the eve of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Briton spoke about this very side, highlighting the significance of this step in the direction of the subsequent decisive one—a key situation to match the efficiency of his teammate and help the reason for the Maranello crew.
The connection between Riccardo and Lewis is great
Within the third free follow session in Jeddah, Lewis did appear extra snug together with his automobile. Nonetheless, listening to the radio communications, it usually seems that—not like Leclerc—the seven-time world champion wants extra directions on all of the SF-25’s controls. Rumors are circulating that Hamilton doesn’t get alongside nicely with Riccardo Adami and that the pair lacks chemistry.
However that is merely unfaithful, as the 2 are in shut sync and at all times talk successfully. If the Black King has many inquiries to ask, it doesn’t imply his engineer isn’t offering the required data. Lewis is extremely exact and desperate to be taught. Was there much less want for discuss with Peter Bonnington, his former race engineer? Properly sure… however the reason being fairly easy after 12 years spent at Mercedes.
In practically two and a half many years, all of the secrets and techniques of the German vehicles had already been dedicated to reminiscence. That’s why the pointless controversy or the urge to stir battle the place none exists just isn’t solely tiresome—it’s utterly pointless. Again to the monitor: in FP3, Hamilton suffered from the identical tire warm-up points as his teammate. This SF-25 can’t swap on the tires just like the McLaren, particularly when temperatures are excessive.
Lewis sees progress—the place, precisely?
The qualifying consequence—the fifth of the season—can’t presumably fulfill the Briton. We’re speaking a couple of closing seventh place that stings, particularly if the motive force whose seat you’ve “taken” finally ends up forward of you on the grid. We’re referring to Carlos Sainz, who, on the wheel of the Williams, managed to remain forward of the seven-time world champion by simply 37 thousandths. Feeling with the automobile? It appears to nonetheless be the identical, for now.
Earlier than quoting Lewis, it’s value reflecting. Based mostly on each his facial expressions and his phrases, the previous Mercedes driver seems just a little confused—simply as he does on monitor, usually wanting considerably misplaced on this problem that appears to be getting the higher of him. It wasn’t going to be straightforward coming to Ferrari, however undoubtedly, the Englishman didn’t anticipate such a tough problem.
Lewis Hamilton candidly defined the complexity of a qualifying session that, as soon as once more, didn’t see him play a starring function. It’s been a troublesome weekend from the beginning on Friday, during which he by no means actually managed to get into the rhythm. Session after session, progress was minimal, and the sensation with the SF-25 remained removed from what he’s truly aiming for.
That’s why reaching Q3 was virtually a reduction—a consequence that, given the circumstances, wasn’t a given. His closing try in qualifying wasn’t significantly robust, however Lewis acknowledged that there was some progress, even when nonetheless inadequate to purpose for extra. There stays a little bit of remorse for the ultimate lap, the place he had hoped to do higher, however not less than he managed to remain within the high ten.