Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 champion, has been unexpectedly challenged by an unforeseen move within his Ferrari F1 team. Adjusting to the Scuderia has not been seamless for Hamilton, who at 40 is navigating a debut season marked by varied results over the first five rounds of 2025. Most recently, at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Hamilton finished in sixth place. This contrasts with teammate Charles Leclerc, who leveraged his six years with Ferrari to secure the team’s first podium finish of the year.
Hamilton expressed uncertainty on how to improve after a disappointing series of races, yet not all is grim in the Ferrari camp. Despite appearing disheartened at the Saudi GP, a lighthearted surprise in the Ferrari garage injected joy back into the veteran driver’s experience. While Hamilton and Leclerc endeavored to maximize the potential of their SF-25 cars last weekend, Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari’s test and reserve driver, unexpectedly took on the role of team photographer and videographer.
Zhou, known for his previous stints with Sauber under its Alfa Romeo and Stake Banners, was without a full-time seat for the 2025 season. Ferrari, in an interesting twist, brought back their former academy talent to take up this new role. In a humorous video posted on social media, Zhou captured candid moments of Hamilton and Leclerc during their return to the garage, evoking genuine surprise from the drivers as they realized their teammate was behind the camera.
This unexpected development added an element of fun to the paddock atmosphere, offering a light-hearted distraction amid the competition pressures. With the Scuderia embracing Zhou’s creativity, Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari continues to unfold in surprising ways. This highlights the evolving dynamics within the team and opens new possibilities for how these changes might enhance team spirit and performance in forthcoming races.
