Lewis Hamilton expressed optimism about his Ferrari journey following a fifth-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix, describing the race as a pivotal moment in understanding his new car. The seven-time world champion, in only his fourth race with the Scuderia, highlighted significant progress in adapting to the Ferrari SF-25, stating, “I know what to search for now.”
Hamilton’s performance marked his best Grand Prix result since joining Ferrari, a promising sign after a challenging start to his tenure. Reflecting on the weekend, he noted a stark contrast between Saturday’s struggles and Sunday’s race pace. “The feeling from Saturday to Sunday was night and day different,” Hamilton said. “I learned a lot about extracting the best from the car today.”
The Briton credited a mid-race setup adjustment, aligning his car closer to teammate Charles Leclerc’s configuration, for unlocking competitive pace. During the middle stint, Hamilton showcased strong race craft, closing gaps and holding position among the frontrunners. “That middle stint, I was really in sync with the car,” he added. “I had the pace and was moving forward.”
Despite qualifying being a historical strength—boasting 104 career pole positions—Hamilton acknowledged the challenge of mastering the Ferrari’s one-lap potential. “The car can be tricky to drive, and I’m working hard to adapt my style,” he admitted. “We got the setup in a better place, and now it’s about fine-tuning.”
Ferrari’s new floor upgrade, introduced in Bahrain, also contributed to Hamilton’s optimism. While cautious about immediate gains, he believes the update narrows the gap to teammate Leclerc and positions Ferrari to challenge McLaren’s pace. “The upgrades are working,” Hamilton noted. “We just need to keep making the right choices.”
Team principal Fred Vasseur praised Hamilton’s progress, emphasizing his integration into the squad. “Lewis is starting to feel at home with the car,” Vasseur said. “His feedback is invaluable, and we’re seeing the results.”