During the Media Day ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton responded to comments made by Charles Leclerc, who had identified Mercedes as the current benchmark in Formula 1 while also highlighting Ferrari’s clear progress on the chassis side.
The seven-time world champion adopted a cautious tone, emphasizing that Ferrari’s development journey is still ongoing and that the gap to the Silver Arrows has not yet been fully closed.
Hamilton: Ferrari still building step by step
“One step at a time,” Lewis Hamilton smiled when asked about the possibility of securing a victory with Ferrari after his podium finish in Shanghai. “We’re trying to build on what we have in terms of performance, but Mercedes is still ahead. We still have a gap to close.”
Lewis Hamilton finished the Chinese Grand Prix in third place, securing his first podium since joining Ferrari at the start of last season. It was an important result, but one that does not change the overall picture of the work still required for the Scuderia to consistently fight at the front. “We’ll definitely give it everything,” he added.
The thrill of racing and defending on-track battles
The British driver then widened the discussion to the broader context of this new regulatory era, pointing out how the changes have made the championship particularly interesting from a competitive perspective.
“Every time there’s been a new era, it’s been exciting to see where all the teams stand. I’m proud of the team and the work we’ve done to get to this point, closer to the front and in the fight,” continued the seven-time champion.
A key moment of his reflections focused on his direct battle with Charles Leclerc in China, which he described as one of the most enjoyable races of his recent career. His comments also served as a subtle response to criticism about the nature of close on-track fights under the current regulations.
“From a racing perspective, it was really, really fun. That battle with Charles [in China] was one of the most fun races I’ve ever had, I think. Apart from that, the only one that comes to mind is the one with Nico in Bahrain many years ago…”
The reference clearly pointed to his past duels with Nico Rosberg, but also reinforced his appreciation for racing that features overtaking and counter-attacks.
To conclude, Lewis Hamilton also addressed criticism of the current Formula 1 rules, which some believe have altered the nature of driving. “In karting it happens all the time, back and forth, back and forth… No one ever calls it ‘yo-yo racing’. It’s real motorsport. So anyone who comes up with that definition is… yeah.” He left the final word hanging, but the message was unmistakably clear.
Lewis Hamilton is therefore keeping his feet firmly on the ground as Ferrari heads into the high-speed challenges of Suzuka. Based on the content of his latest media session, the focus remains on long-term stability rather than short-term expectations.
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