Martin Brundle questions Lewis Hamilton’s surprising comments after challenging Jeddah GP. Martin Brundle questions the seven-time champion’s pace and setup direction..

Lewis Hamilton’s Saudi Arabian GP Raises Concerns Over Ferrari Adaptation as Brundle Questions Pace Deficit

Lewis Hamilton left the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend with more questions than answers, as his performance in Jeddah highlighted ongoing struggles in adapting to Ferrari machinery. Despite being one of the most accomplished drivers in Formula 1 history, Hamilton appeared out of sync with the SF-25 from the outset of the weekend, especially when compared to his teammate, Charles Leclerc.

During the practice sessions, Lewis Hamilton never seemed to find the rhythm that Leclerc enjoyed, and his discomfort was evident. Qualifying only amplified those issues, with Hamilton barely scraping into Q3. He eventually secured a spot on the fourth row of the grid, starting alongside Yuki Tsunoda and behind Carlos Sainz, who has been making strides in the Williams.

Hamilton’s fortunes briefly improved at the race start, as Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly—both driving highly competitive cars—eliminated each other in a first-lap incident. This allowed the former Mercedes driver to gain early track position, but it also exposed him to pressure from behind, particularly from McLaren’s Lando Norris. Though the seven-time world champion used his vast experience to resist immediate overtakes, it became evident that holding Norris back would be a short-lived endeavor.

The two drivers engaged in a tense battle, with Norris passing Hamilton twice at the final corner, only for Hamilton to reclaim the place using DRS into Turn 1. While that exchange showcased Hamilton’s racecraft, it stood out as one of the few highlights in an otherwise frustrating evening. Ultimately, he crossed the line in seventh place—the same position he started in—unable to extract more performance from the car.

In the post-race interview, Hamilton was asked if there had been any moment during the race where he felt at ease with the car’s behavior. He reportedly responded that not even for a second did he feel comfortable. Acknowledging the car’s potential, he pointed out that Charles Leclerc had clearly demonstrated what the SF-25 was capable of by reaching the podium, and thus he couldn’t fault the machinery.

When further questioned about the underlying reasons for his lack of pace, Hamilton was said to have given a terse “no,” indicating that he remained unsure about what was causing the disconnect between himself and the car.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1, former F1 driver and veteran commentator Martin Brundle offered his perspective on Lewis Hamilton’s remarks and the overall situation. Brundle noted that Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur had already characterized the Briton’s form as inconsistent. The former Formula 1 driver pointed out that although there were moments in the race when Hamilton matched the front-running pace—setting lap times in the mid-1:32s—he still finished 31 seconds behind Charles Leclerc. While traffic may have played a minor role, Brundle emphasized that the fluctuations in performance suggested deeper issues.

Martin Brundle expressed skepticism toward the notion that Hamilton simply didn’t understand the car. Given the extensive pre-season testing and several completed race weekends, he argued that unfamiliarity shouldn’t still be a factor in late April. In his view, Hamilton had yet to build a strong rapport with the SF-25 and may be pursuing a setup direction that isn’t yielding results. Referencing insights from his time at Mercedes, Brundle mentioned that Hamilton prefers very specific characteristics in a car’s handling—characteristics he seemingly hasn’t been able to replicate at Ferrari.

The Sky Sports analyst added that although there were glimpses of potential, Lewis Hamilton’s lack of consistent competitiveness remains puzzling. Despite briefly showing comparable pace, he couldn’t sustain it, which suggests ongoing difficulties in adjusting to his new environment.

The Briton’s struggle to match Charles Leclerc continues to fuel speculation about his fit within the Scuderia. Brundle had previously entertained a theory following the Bahrain Grand Prix that Lewis Hamilton might be facing a steeper learning curve than anticipated, and nothing in Saudi Arabia appeared to disprove that idea.

Team boss Fred Vasseur has expressed frustration with Ferrari’s qualifying performance but defended Hamilton, insisting that the 40-year-old simply needs time to adapt to the team’s systems and the car’s nuances. However, Brundle was quick to counter the notion that a long acclimatization period is acceptable in modern Formula 1. He cited the example of Oliver Bearman, who impressed on debut last season in Jeddah with only a day of preparation, as well as Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s rapid adjustment to working with Peter Bonnington and the current Mercedes.

In Martin Brundle’s view, while it’s true that rookies are learning from scratch, experienced drivers like the seven-time Formula 1 world champion are expected to adapt more swiftly. He emphasized that Hamilton remains an elite-level competitor, but something within the current setup or operational dynamic is clearly not aligning.

With expectations high and time always limited in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton’s continued struggle to unlock performance from the SF-25 will be a growing concern for Ferrari. Until a breakthrough occurs, questions about his adaptation and performance will likely persist.