Hamilton Inspired by Bahrain Progress as Ferrari Targets Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Breakthrough
Lewis Hamilton lastly had motive to sound extra upbeat following the Bahrain Grand Prix, providing a much more optimistic tone than his downbeat post-race reflections in Japan and China. After enduring a troublesome run of type—together with a disqualification in Shanghai as a consequence of extreme plank put on and being outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc regardless of the Monegasque’s broken entrance wing—Hamilton delivered his strongest results of the season up to now with a fifth-place end in Bahrain.
Whereas Ferrari’s strategic gamble on the Sakhir circuit was undone by the ill-timed deployment of the race’s solely security automobile, it’s unlikely that the seven-time world champion would have completed any larger than fifth. Nonetheless, this efficiency—coupled along with his spectacular Dash Race win in Shanghai—marks a big step ahead for the 40-year-old in what has been a difficult begin to his Ferrari tenure.
Issues stay, nevertheless. Former F1 driver David Coulthard has voiced doubts over whether or not Hamilton has misplaced a few of his edge in qualifying, noting that the Briton solely managed to start out the Bahrain race from ninth on the grid. Nonetheless, Ferrari’s early-season replace package deal, which included an improved flooring design for the SF-25, seems to have delivered tangible advantages.
On condition that Hamilton’s disqualification in China was attributed to extreme plank put on, the upgraded flooring represents not only a efficiency enhance however a vital structural repair. These adjustments might now set the stage for Ferrari to turn out to be much more aggressive on the high-speed Jeddah Road Circuit, house of the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Ferrari Assured Hamilton Can Shine in Jeddah After SF-25 Upgrades
In response to a current report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari engineers are extremely inspired by the affect of their first main growth package deal of 2025. The Italian publication claims the staff has “practically doubled” the optimum working window of the SF-25 because of the brand new flooring, with each Hamilton and Leclerc seeing fast advantages in efficiency and consistency.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix presents a really totally different problem in comparison with Bahrain. Jeddah’s easy, high-speed format options far much less abrasive asphalt, which may cut back McLaren’s normal tyre administration benefit—a key power that has typically helped them outperform rivals throughout races with excessive degradation.
Ferrari insiders consider this variation in circuit traits might present splendid circumstances for each of their drivers. Gazzetta even reviews inner estimates of a possible “30% efficiency enhance” over the Bahrain outing, making Jeddah a key alternative for the staff to shut the hole to its rivals.
Such an upswing in type may put added stress on George Russell within the Mercedes, who has been battling Ferrari and McLaren for podium competition. Whether or not this anticipated step ahead shall be sufficient to problem McLaren’s present benefit, nevertheless, stays to be seen.
Ferrari Planning Aggressive Improvement Path Amid Constructors’ Title Chase
Because the 2025 Components 1 season progresses, probably the most vital strategic choices dealing with groups is when to shift growth assets towards their 2026 vehicles. Whereas a number of outfits are already waiting for the subsequent technology of rules, Ferrari can not afford to take their foot off the fuel within the present marketing campaign—not with Lewis Hamilton nonetheless adjusting to life at Maranello and a championship bid theoretically nonetheless inside attain.
Gazzetta reviews that Ferrari is already laborious at work on its subsequent set of updates, anticipated to be launched on the Miami Grand Prix. The Scuderia is aware of that updates should come swiftly and commonly, as late-season enhancements depart fewer races by which to capitalize—particularly on condition that the 2026 technical rules will carry sweeping adjustments that demand early consideration.
Ferrari is at present dealing with a deficit of practically 100 factors within the constructors’ standings, and Hamilton already trails McLaren’s Lando Norris by greater than 50 factors within the drivers’ championship. Though the hole will not be but insurmountable, the window for a significant comeback will slender because the season wears on.
For Hamilton and Ferrari alike, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix might function a litmus check—not solely of the SF-25’s growth potential however of how far this new partnership can go in 2025.
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