At the Austrian Grand Prix held at the Red Bull Ring, Lewis Hamilton delivered a stark evaluation of Ferrari’s most recent upgrade, questioning its effectiveness in enhancing the team’s competitiveness. The seven-time world champion’s concerns surfaced after a frustrating day marked by underperformance and mechanical setbacks during the opening practice sessions.
Struggles Despite Ferrari’s New Floor Upgrade on the SF-25
Ferrari introduced a new floor upgrade for their SF-25 model, but Hamilton struggled to find pace, finishing 10th and nearly a second behind the leaders. His session was further complicated by a gearbox issue that forced the Mercedes team to execute an urgent gearbox replacement, disrupting his rhythm early on.
Hamilton’s Candid Thoughts on the Performance Gap
Reflecting on the upgrade, Hamilton said,
“A huge amount of work went on to bring the floor, but as you can see, it has not necessarily changed our competitiveness.”
He expressed frustration over the evident performance deficit, emphasizing the critical need for continued analysis and improvements to remain competitive among the top drivers.
Comparative Challenges with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc
Hamilton acknowledged that both he and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc fell short of the desired speed, with Leclerc trailing by six-tenths of a second and Hamilton lagging almost a full second behind the fastest lap times. Despite these hurdles, he recognized his team’s quick response to the gearbox problem, enabling him to resume participation in the second practice session.
Looking Ahead: Optimism for Future Improvements
Despite a disappointing start, Hamilton remains hopeful that adjustments to the car’s setup and ongoing efforts will close the gap before upcoming races. His reflective remarks underline a confidence in the team’s ability to refine performance and contend with the evolving championship challenges.
Impact on Ferrari’s Championship Prospects
Hamilton’s blunt critique has stirred discussion within the Formula 1 community about Ferrari’s ability to capitalize on their upgrades amidst fierce competition. With the season progressing, the spotlight will be on Ferrari to see if they can overcome current setbacks and reassert themselves as a dominant force on the grid.
