The weekend of truth. Suzuka will be the race where Ferrari must prove it has a top-tier car, following the struggles of both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc so far. After a mediocre Melbourne GP, Ferrari left China with two disqualifications that sparked much debate.
The two SF-25 cars were deemed irregular following checks by the FIA. The car number 16 was found to be one kilogram lighter than the minimum weight set by the regulations, while on car number 44, excessive wear was found on the plank.
These two incidents attracted significant criticism towards the Maranello team. The most recent to criticize the team, in chronological order, was Luca di Montezemolo, who referred to what happened in Shanghai as one of the worst chapters in Ferrari’s history.
Lewis Hamilton assesses the situation before Japan
For this reason, the Suzuka Grand Prix weekend must be the turning point for Ferrari. The Maranello team will need to show that it can be competitive with McLaren in Japan, to avoid facing too large a gap after three races. “I have full confidence in the team and I know we’re moving in the same direction. Obviously, there’s a process of understanding that takes time, but we will soon see the results,” said Lewis Hamilton. “This sport is all about the details, and working as a team is key to figuring out where to focus.”
“That’s why changing teams makes everything more complicated. In Australia, it wasn’t easy for me because I had never driven the SF-25 in the wet,” he added. “Then in China, after a great Sprint, the feeling in qualifying and the race was completely different. We paid for a wrong setup that affected both me and Charles. All in all, I’m happy with how I’m adapting and I think we’re working well. We need to stay focused because we have the potential to fight for the top positions, starting from this weekend.” – the seven-time Formula 1 world champion concluded.
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