Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton delivered an impressive showing in the final practice session of the 2025 Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix, securing the second-fastest time on Saturday. However, despite the encouraging result, former driver and BBC analyst Sam Bird identified a recurring issue that could hinder Hamilton’s qualifying performance — Ferrari’s braking instability.
The seven-time world champion continued to adapt to life at Scuderia Ferrari after sitting out FP1 on Friday to allow development driver Antonio Fuoco to complete the team’s mandatory rookie session. Lewis Hamilton returned in FP2 with a 1:17.692 lap that placed him fifth overall before improving significantly in FP3, where he posted a 1:16.978 — good enough for P2 behind Lando Norris, who topped the session for McLaren with a 1:16.633.
Lewis Hamilton’s improvement confirmed Ferrari’s strong one-lap potential, although the British driver still trailed Norris by 0.345 seconds. Earlier in FP2, he had also been 0.300s off Max Verstappen’s benchmark time as Red Bull and McLaren continued to show competitive pace across different conditions. With qualifying looming, Ferrari will aim to convert Hamilton’s encouraging FP3 form into a breakthrough result after a tough stretch — the Briton has not started higher than P5 in the past eight Grands Prix, suffering several Q2 and even one Q1 exit.
Sam Bird highlights Ferrari braking issues that left Hamilton struggling
Despite clocking the second-fastest lap, Hamilton’s session was far from smooth. According to Sam Bird’s live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, the 40-year-old appeared to struggle repeatedly under braking — particularly into Turns 1 and 4 of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Bird noted that Hamilton locked up several times, forcing him into the run-off areas on multiple occasions.
Early in FP3, just seven minutes after his first timed attempt, Lewis Hamilton ran wide at Turn 4. Minutes later, he locked his front-right tyre while approaching Turn 1, which forced him to briefly take to the grass. Later in the session, another heavy braking moment into Turn 4 caused him to use the escape road entirely. These small but consistent errors suggested a lack of front-end confidence in the Ferrari SF-25 — particularly during high-deceleration zones where the car’s braking balance appeared unsettled.
Bird explained that the issue seemed to stem from front-axle behavior, describing how the Briton was forced to lift off the brake pedal to prevent severe flat-spotting. Even so, the incident left him with a minor vibration, something that can easily compromise tire performance later in a session. The observation reinforced growing concerns that Ferrari’s current setup may still lack the ideal braking stability required for the circuit’s low-grip surface and high altitude.
Hamilton aims to improve Ferrari’s braking confidence ahead of qualifying
Despite those moments of instability, Hamilton’s overall performance demonstrated steady progress throughout the weekend. Ferrari engineers have been experimenting with front suspension settings and brake bias adjustments in an effort to provide better feedback under heavy braking — an area that has often troubled the SF-25 on bumpy circuits.
Lewis Hamilton’s ability to recover from early mistakes and still end FP3 in P2 suggests that the team has made tangible gains since Friday. Yet, as Bird pointed out, mastering Ferrari’s braking system will be essential for Hamilton to fight for pole position. With the margins between McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari tightening to mere tenths, even a slight lock-up in qualifying could decide starting positions.
The Mexico City circuit has traditionally been one of Lewis Hamilton’s stronger venues — he famously claimed pole position in 2016 and has twice won at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. However, his recent form shows a different picture, with P6 qualifying results in both 2023 and 2024 while driving for Mercedes. Now, in his debut season with Ferrari, Hamilton is hoping to break that streak and deliver a top-three start for the Scuderia.
Ferrari targets front-row potential amid close fight with McLaren and Red Bull
With the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix qualifying session set to begin, Ferrari’s main objective will be ensuring both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc can extract the maximum from the SF-25. Leclerc finished FP3 in P4 with a 1:17.199, indicating both cars are competitive but still trailing McLaren’s impressive one-lap performance. As engineers continue fine-tuning brake temperatures and aerodynamic balance, Ferrari remains cautiously optimistic about challenging for the front row.
Lewis Hamilton’s improved rhythm in the later stages of FP3 suggested that Ferrari’s latest setup direction may finally be paying off. The combination of enhanced braking control and tire management will be decisive factors as teams prepare for the intense heat and thin air of Mexico City’s high-altitude track.
If the Briton can iron out the braking inconsistencies identified by Bird and maintain the momentum from FP3, he could position himself as a genuine contender for pole — or at least a strong front-row start — as Ferrari aims to keep its championship hopes alive against McLaren and Red Bull in the heart of Mexico City.
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