Lewis Hamilton delivers best Ferrari qualifying in Mexico, closing gap to Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton showcased his strongest qualifying performance of the 2025 season during Saturday’s Mexican Grand Prix, securing a third-place start at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The seven-time world champion lines up immediately behind his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, highlighting a noticeable improvement in his pace since the summer break.
Although Hamilton briefly led the field during the China Sprint in March, this marked the first time he has officially qualified in the top three for a full-length Grand Prix in 2025. The result represents Ferrari finally converting promising practice sessions into competitive Q3 performance, reinforcing the sense that Hamilton is regaining his rhythm in the SF-25.
Despite not yet reaching the podium this season, Lewis Hamilton matched his best race finish in Austin, finishing fourth, demonstrating that the progress made in qualifying is translating into strong race pace. Since his retirement in the Dutch Grand Prix, the Briton has consistently finished within two positions of Charles Leclerc in every competitive session, showing that the gap between the two Ferrari drivers is steadily closing. Many pundits still regard Charles Leclerc as one of the fastest one-lap drivers on the grid, making Lewis Hamilton’s recent performances particularly notable.
Jacques Villeneuve: Hamilton lets Leclerc vent Ferrari frustrations
Prior to qualifying in Mexico, former F1 World Champion and Sky Sports analyst Jacques Villeneuve commented on Lewis Hamilton’s evolving approach at Ferrari. Villeneuve noted that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion has appeared more composed and focused than at any point this season, apart from his peak performance in Shanghai. He suggested that Lewis Hamilton is consciously leaving the visible frustration and “anger” over the car’s limitations to Charles Leclerc, particularly as Ferrari curtailed development on the 2025 SF-25 earlier than planned. Team Principal Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that this decision has had a psychological impact on the drivers.
Villeneuve explained that Lewis Hamilton seems to be prioritizing team building and preparing for next year’s campaign. He has been working on aligning the engineers and mechanics around his feedback rather than dwelling on the immediate shortcomings of the current car. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc has taken the brunt of expressing frustration publicly, allowing the Briton to remain calm and focused on long-term objectives.
According to Jacques Villeneuve, Lewis Hamilton’s approach in Mexico was indicative of a strategic mindset. The driver is channeling his energy into influencing the 2026 car, which is expected to be the first Ferrari design where he can fully implement his input. The former Formula 1 driver emphasized that Lewis Hamilton is “focusing on the future, not complaining about the present,” and that this approach could yield significant benefits for the team as they aim to end Ferrari’s 17-year championship drought.
Hamilton addresses concerns about Ferrari relationship
Concerns about Lewis Hamilton’s patience with Ferrari had been raised by commentator David Croft, who suggested that the driver might be growing frustrated with the team’s reluctance to adapt. The former Mercedes man, however, has reassured that Ferrari are actively responding to his recommendations, especially regarding the upcoming 2026 regulations. He recognizes that the next generation of cars will allow him to have a greater influence, particularly in shaping the chassis and aerodynamics to suit his driving style.
Jacques Villeneuve added that while Hamilton remains calm, he must also provide candid feedback to the team about Ferrari’s long-standing winless streak. The veteran driver is reportedly optimistic that the new generation of cars, designed under his guidance, could align better with his ground-effect driving preferences, giving him and Ferrari a stronger platform for championship contention in the coming season.
Overall, Lewis Hamilton’s third-place qualifying effort in Mexico reflects not only his improving adaptation to the Ferrari SF-25 but also his strategic focus on influencing the future direction of the team. His collaboration with Charles Leclerc continues to strengthen, with the Monegasque driver taking the spotlight on short-term frustrations, while Hamilton prepares to leverage his experience to maximize Ferrari’s potential in 2026.
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