“Friday is Friday,” as former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine used to say, emphasizing that the first day of a race weekend should always be taken with caution. Once again this season, the positive start of Ferrari’s Las Vegas weekend seemed to confirm Eddie Irvine’s wisdom. The Scuderia managed to end the first day of work in Nevada with encouraging feedback that left hopes high for both qualifying and the race. After a strong FP1 session, the SF-25 showed decent form in the second practice as well, with both drivers looking fast and potentially capable of fighting rivals for significant results. However, given the slippery track, low asphalt grip, and the light rain that fell on the Strip, it was difficult to get a clear picture of the performance hierarchy.
Crazy qualifying
The unpredictable weather further complicated setup decisions and dominated the qualifying session on the Strip. Rain before the Q1 start made the track wet, creating a challenging environment for the drivers. This resulted in a “crazy” qualifying session with several surprises and a high-level show. Unfortunately for Ferrari, the session turned out negatively. Charles Leclerc managed only a ninth-place finish, while Lewis Hamilton, for the first time in his career (excluding technical failures), ended a qualifying session in last place. It was a harsh blow for the Scuderia, caused by the SF-25’s inability to perform on wet surfaces and put the tires in their optimal window. The lack of grip denied the drivers the feeling needed to push for competitive results.
Turrini speaks
The disappointing session was quickly commented on by Leo Turrini, who focused on Lewis Hamilton’s poor day. Another misstep in a season to forget, which is somehow making Hamilton part of history, albeit in a negative sense. “Once you hit rock bottom, you can always start digging deeper,” the well-known journalist wrote on his blog Profondo Rosso. “This is, melodramatically, the case of Lewis Hamilton. Never in his career had the Baronet finished a Q3 session in last place, excluding accidents or mechanical failures. What can one say? This time it will be the lights of Las Vegas, the yellow flags, or whatever else you want to blame. But one thing is unfortunately certain: Lewis is right when he calls his first year in red ‘a nightmare.’ He is making history, yes. But in the wrong way. And I understand the frustration of the person directly involved: the only one, I imagine, who truly knows the truth. Hopefully, the answer inside him is not the wrong one (quote Corrado Guzzanti).”
Sunday’s Grand Prix is forecast dry – conditions where Ferrari looked genuinely quick on Thursday. A monster recovery drive from P20 is far from impossible for Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc starting ninth keeps podium hopes alive.
But after Saturday’s humiliation under the neon lights, one question hangs heavier than ever over Maranello: when does the nightmare finally end?
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