Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Struggles Reach Boiling Point at Saudi Arabian GP
The 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit proved to be another nightmare for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, as he continued to struggle with his Ferrari SF-25. Despite the flash of the floodlights and the roar of the engines, Hamilton’s race turned into a grim reminder of the challenges he faces in adapting to his new team. The legendary British driver, once the epitome of dominance in Formula 1, found himself 31 seconds adrift of teammate Charles Leclerc, finishing in a dismal seventh place.
From the start, it was clear that Hamilton was struggling with the handling of the Ferrari. Describing the race as “horrible” and “not enjoyable at all,” he wrestled with massive understeer, tire degradation, and car balance issues. The McLaren of Lando Norris proved to be an unrelenting competitor, as Hamilton battled him for sixth place, only to fall behind in the later stages. In contrast, Leclerc’s composed third-place finish highlighted Ferrari’s potential, making Hamilton’s struggles even more pronounced. Telemetry data showed that Hamilton’s tire management was faltering, and his car’s balance was far from ideal, costing him valuable time on Jeddah’s demanding straights and tight corners.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, known for his no-nonsense approach, came to Hamilton’s defense in the aftermath of the race. In an impassioned X post-race statement, Vasseur dismissed suggestions of a mental decline, insisting that the root of Hamilton’s troubles lay in the car’s mechanical issues, not his ability. “We’re struggling with the car’s balance and how Lewis works the tires,” Vasseur said, stressing that the problem was not related to Hamilton’s skills. “I’m 2000% behind him,” he added, vowing to rectify the SF-25’s issues. However, his strong defense couldn’t mask the mounting concerns: Hamilton’s much-anticipated move from Mercedes to Ferrari was yet to yield the results that many had hoped for, and fans are growing anxious.
While the race itself was full of drama and surprises, it was McLaren’s Oscar Piastri who emerged victorious after a penalty for Max Verstappen, marking a historic win for the Australian driver. Verstappen, despite his setback, held on to second place, while Leclerc’s podium finish gave Ferrari a sliver of hope. But it was Hamilton’s defeat that captured the most attention. “It’s going to be painful for the rest of the year,” Hamilton confessed, implying that the season ahead would be filled with struggles and without an immediate solution in sight.
The Jeddah circuit, with its 27 corners and 250 km/h average speeds, exposed every weakness in Hamilton’s setup, offering a painful reminder of his ongoing struggle to adapt to Ferrari’s machinery—a stark contrast to the seamless years he spent with Mercedes. While Vasseur remains firmly behind his star driver, the clock is ticking for both Ferrari and Hamilton. With McLaren’s rise and Red Bull’s continued dominance, Ferrari’s championship hopes depend heavily on unlocking Hamilton’s potential.
As the F1 circus heads to the Miami Grand Prix, the question remains: Can Vasseur and Hamilton rediscover the magic that saw them claim the 2006 junior championship? Or will Ferrari’s gamble on a 40-year-old legend falter under the mounting expectations? One thing is for sure: Jeddah was a crushing defeat that Hamilton won’t soon forget
