Ferrari starts 2025 in the worst possible way in Australia: a lackluster weekend disappoints the team and fans, but Anthony Hamilton, Sir Lewis’s father, refuses to be discouraged and urges the team to refocus ahead of the next race in Shanghai, China.
Charles Leclerc’s eighth place and Hamilton’s tenth are just the tip of the iceberg of a dull and difficult weekend for Maranello’s team. After seemingly promising free practice sessions for Vasseur’s squad, the SF-25’s performance collapsed. Qualifying shattered the hopes of fans expecting a strong start from the Prancing Horse in Melbourne, and the Sunday Grand Prix only made things worse. Ferrari’s first race of the year turned into a horror show, culminating in a disastrous strategy in the closing stages.
At the checkered flag, both Maranello cars finished only P8 and P10, even behind Nico Hülkenberg’s Sauber. For Ferrari, Australia was a false start, but Anthony Hamilton refused to be disheartened. The father of the seven-time world champion, who had already shown great sportsmanship by comforting Isack Hadjar after his pre-race retirement, sent a message to the team and fans.
Anthony Hamilton fires up Ferrari
“We are fighters,” Anthony Hamilton reminded the entire Ferrari world. “We will rebuild this team, not just for ourselves and for Ferrari, but for all of Italy and all the fans!” he declared after the race in Melbourne.
Lewis Hamilton’s first race in Ferrari colors certainly did not go as hoped. But Australia is only the starting point, and Anthony Hamilton believes in Ferrari. Next weekend in China, Fred Vasseur’s team will already have the chance to bounce back on a track that could provide the first real clues about the opening phase of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
