Another qualifying session, another disappointment for Lewis Hamilton—this time in the scarlet red of Ferrari. While fans hoped the seven-time world champion’s switch to Maranello would spark an immediate resurgence, the data from Jeddah tells a more complicated story.
Is Hamilton the Problem, or Is It Ferrari?
The answer is both. Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate and one of the grid’s sharpest qualifiers, once again set the benchmark in the Ferrari garage. Leclerc secured P4, just 0.4 seconds off Verstappen’s pole time. Hamilton, however, was left nearly a full second adrift from the front, trailing Leclerc by over half a second—a chasm by F1 standards.
Where Is Hamilton Losing Out?
A detailed sector analysis reveals the gaps. Hamilton lost significant time in Sector 1 and Sector 3, while he matched Leclerc more closely in the middle sector. Crucially, Hamilton failed to improve in Q3—one of only a few drivers unable to extract more from his final lap.
The speed traces are telling: Leclerc carried more speed and confidence through the tricky sequences of Turns 4, 5, 8, and 9, taking more aggressive lines and building a decisive advantage. Turn 13 was another trouble spot for Hamilton, where he struggled to match his teammate’s pace.
The Braking Conundrum
One key theory centers on engine braking—a fundamental difference between the Ferrari SF-25 and Hamilton’s previous Mercedes. The Ferrari’s unique engine braking setup demands a different braking style and pedal feel, making it harder for Hamilton to adapt and fully exploit the car’s potential. The data shows his biggest deficits came in corners where precise braking is essential.
Comparing to the Best: Hamilton vs. Verstappen
Against Verstappen, the contrast is even starker. Hamilton lost the most time in the opening corners, struggling to get the front tyres into the optimal temperature window. This led to understeer and a more cautious approach, while Verstappen attacked the lap with full commitment. By the end of Sector 1, Hamilton was already half a second behind—a gap he couldn’t recover.
Ferrari’s Ongoing Battle
Despite a promising floor upgrade, Ferrari still trails the top teams in overall performance. The SF-25 remains competitive on fast corners and straights, but its struggles in slow-speed sections are glaring—especially for a driver still searching for confidence in his new machinery.
Hamilton himself has acknowledged the car’s underperformance, revealing that Ferrari is aware of a persistent issue affecting his pace. The team is searching for solutions, hoping that upcoming updates will finally unlock the car’s full potential1.
What’s Next?
Ferrari’s engineers are racing against the clock to close the gap, but for now, the team sits fourth in the Constructors’ Championship—despite arguably boasting the strongest driver pairing on the grid. The question remains: can Hamilton and Ferrari turn data-driven frustration into on-track redemption before the season slips away?
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