Lewis Hamilton’s early days with Ferrari have been a blend of highs and lows, marked by his Sprint Race victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, followed by a disqualification in the main event. Despite glimpses of promise, Hamilton’s overall adaptation to life at Ferrari has proven to be more difficult than many anticipated.
In qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Hamilton was over half a second slower than teammate Charles Leclerc, and his struggles continued into the race. Meanwhile, Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman, stepping in at short notice to replace an unwell Carlos Sainz, managed to stay closer to the Monegasque’s performance than the Briton did, highlighting the British star’s current challenges.
One of the key factors behind Lewis Hamilton’s difficulties appears to be the adjustment to Ferrari’s braking system. Unlike at Mercedes, where he used Carbon Industrie brakes, Ferrari operates with Brembo braking systems, requiring a different approach and feel — something Hamilton is still trying to master.
Peter Windsor reveals possible explanation for Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari braking issues
Motorsport journalist Peter Windsor shared his perspective on his YouTube channel, suggesting that Lewis Hamilton’s issues may run deeper than simply adapting to a different brake supplier. Windsor explained that Lewis Hamilton might not be braking in the same dynamic style he employed earlier in his career. He indicated that Hamilton now tends to brake more in a straight line without the nuanced modulation — the squeezing and releasing of the brake pedal — that once defined his technique, especially when using Carbon Industrie brakes. Peter Windsor stressed that the challenge is “more complicated than just the supplier,” implying that Hamilton’s evolved driving style may be less compatible with Ferrari’s current technical setup.
Concerns grow that Lewis Hamilton is heading in the wrong direction relative to Charles Leclerc
Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle has suggested that Hamilton appears to be moving further away from the optimal performance window compared to his Maranello teammate. This concern gained more traction after Hamilton’s underwhelming showing in Jeddah. Meanwhile, fellow pundit Karun Chandhok faced backlash from Hamilton supporters for his frank criticism of the seven-time world champion’s performance during the Saudi Arabian weekend.
Internally, pressure is mounting on Lewis Hamilton to deliver stronger results, a stark contrast to the wave of optimism that surrounded his move to Ferrari during the winter. However, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has stood firmly behind Hamilton, publicly defending his efforts. Hamilton himself remains optimistic, reportedly hopeful that upcoming car upgrades will better suit his driving style and help close the gap to his teammate in the rounds ahead.
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