Hamilton remains confident despite setbacks in China: focus on Suzuka

The Chinese Grand Prix was a mixed moment for Hamilton. After winning the Sprint race, his first victory under the Scuderia colors, he finished sixth in the Grand Prix before being disqualified due to excessive wear on the plank of his SF-25. Far from being discouraged, Hamilton sees this incident as a learning opportunity for the team.

« I don’t really feel any frustration afterwards. That’s how it is. Of course, we analyzed everything. I was at the factory on Wednesday, and there was a lot to learn from it. We face the ups and downs together as a team. » he stated to the media before the Japanese Grand Prix.

For Hamilton, the important thing is the collective reaction. He particularly praises the way Ferrari analyzed the incident and worked to avoid a repetition. I would say that the most impressive thing is the way the team reacted, the way they worked, analyzed the data, and, above all, how we are going to progress from here.

Total confidence in Ferrari

While some rumors suggested that Hamilton might lose confidence in Ferrari after these initial setbacks, the British champion firmly denied these allegations: « I saw someone say that I was losing confidence in the team, which is totally absurd. I have 100% absolute confidence in this team. » he asserted.

Hamilton also sought to temper everyone’s expectations. Reminding that it was his first season with the Italian team after twelve years spent at Mercedes, he assured that he had no illusions about immediate success: « There was obviously a lot of excitement at the beginning of the year, and I don’t know if everyone expected us to win from the first race and a championship in our first year, but that wasn’t the case for me. I know that I am entering a new culture, a new team, and that it will take time. »

Mitigating circumstances

Hamilton also revealed several factors that complicated his adaptation within the Italian team. His move from Mercedes to Ferrari notably made him miss the Abu Dhabi tests last December, where drivers were able to test the new tires: « All the other drivers here were able to do the tests in Abu Dhabi and try the 2025 tire. I didn’t. When we arrived for testing in Bahrain, the car broke down, so I couldn’t really do long runs with any of the tires. », he explained.

This situation limited his experience with the tires. In China, he thus discovered some compounds in real conditions. The sprint race was the first time I actually did a 20-lap stint with this tire. And during the race, it was the first time I tried the C2. So I got to know it as I went along.

Hamilton also seems to be adopting a methodical approach to his integration at Ferrari, taking the time to observe before making his contribution: “I have really spent the last few months trying to observe how this team operates – it’s just different from what I have experienced. Each team has been different – McLaren was different, Mercedes was different from McLaren, and here it is different again. So, I’m observing and seeing where I can contribute and what I can bring,” he explained.

Suzuka, a new milestone

Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton is cautious but positive. This race represents a new challenge for him at the wheel of the Ferrari, on a circuit he knows well: « Every weekend I spend with the team is a new experience, on a circuit I have already frequented. But obviously, it’s the first time I’m driving the Ferrari on this circuit, and I don’t know exactly what to expect in terms of feeling with the car, but I’m obviously positive. I now have two races behind me and I’ve been able to get to know the tires. »

Indeed, the Suzuka circuit, demanding and technical, will be an additional test for the SF-25. But the Briton hopes that the lessons learned from the first two Grand Prix will bear fruit: “I think there are aspects we clearly need to improve, but Fred [Vasseur] has an excellent approach.”

A long season ahead

Despite a difficult start placing Ferrari in fifth position in the constructors’ championship, 61 points behind McLaren, the Scuderia and its drivers remain hopeful. Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, recalled Ferrari’s positive evolution during the 2024 season, where the team gradually closed the gap with the leaders to eventually fight for the title: “If we look back at last year and consider the first races, the situation in terms of performance was much worse than today. Little by little, we can still have an incredible season,” noted the Monegasque.

The adaptation of Hamilton to his new team and Ferrari’s ability to resolve its technical issues will be determining factors for the rest of the 2025 season. For now, the seven-time world champion remains focused on his learning and integration process, convinced that results will follow with time and effort: “I am totally convinced that we can solve all the problems we have. We have absolutely everything we need within the team,” he stated.