Lewis Hamilton delivers finest Ferrari qualifying in Mexico, closing hole to Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton showcased his strongest qualifying efficiency of the 2025 season throughout Saturday’s Mexican Grand Prix, securing a third-place begin on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The seven-time world champion traces up instantly behind his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, highlighting a noticeable enchancment in his tempo for the reason that summer season break.
Though Hamilton briefly led the sector through the China Dash in March, this marked the primary time he has formally certified within the high three for a full-length Grand Prix in 2025. The consequence represents Ferrari lastly changing promising follow classes into aggressive Q3 efficiency, reinforcing the sense that Hamilton is regaining his rhythm within the SF-25.
Regardless of not but reaching the rostrum this season, Lewis Hamilton matched his finest race end in Austin, ending fourth, demonstrating that the progress made in qualifying is translating into sturdy race tempo. Since his retirement within the Dutch Grand Prix, the Briton has persistently completed inside two positions of Charles Leclerc in each aggressive session, exhibiting that the hole between the 2 Ferrari drivers is steadily closing. Many pundits nonetheless regard Charles Leclerc as one of many quickest one-lap drivers on the grid, making Lewis Hamilton’s latest performances significantly notable.
Jacques Villeneuve: Hamilton lets Leclerc vent Ferrari frustrations
Previous to qualifying in Mexico, former F1 World Champion and Sky Sports activities analyst Jacques Villeneuve commented on Lewis Hamilton’s evolving method at Ferrari. Villeneuve famous that the seven-time Method 1 world champion has appeared extra composed and centered than at any level this season, other than his peak efficiency in Shanghai. He prompt that Lewis Hamilton is consciously leaving the seen frustration and “anger” over the automobile’s limitations to Charles Leclerc, significantly as Ferrari curtailed improvement on the 2025 SF-25 sooner than deliberate. Group Principal Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that this determination has had a psychological impression on the drivers.
Villeneuve defined that Lewis Hamilton appears to be prioritizing workforce constructing and making ready for subsequent 12 months’s marketing campaign. He has been engaged on aligning the engineers and mechanics round his suggestions slightly than dwelling on the speedy shortcomings of the present automobile. In the meantime, Charles Leclerc has taken the brunt of expressing frustration publicly, permitting the Briton to stay calm and centered on long-term goals.
In line with Jacques Villeneuve, Lewis Hamilton’s method in Mexico was indicative of a strategic mindset. The driving force is channeling his power into influencing the 2026 automobile, which is predicted to be the primary Ferrari design the place he can totally implement his enter. The previous Method 1 driver emphasised that Lewis Hamilton is “specializing in the long run, not complaining concerning the current,” and that this method might yield important advantages for the workforce as they intention to finish Ferrari’s 17-year championship drought.
Hamilton addresses considerations about Ferrari relationship
Issues about Lewis Hamilton’s persistence with Ferrari had been raised by commentator David Croft, who prompt that the motive force is likely to be rising pissed off with the workforce’s reluctance to adapt. The previous Mercedes man, nevertheless, has reassured that Ferrari are actively responding to his suggestions, particularly concerning the upcoming 2026 laws. He acknowledges that the following technology of automobiles will enable him to have a larger affect, significantly in shaping the chassis and aerodynamics to go well with his driving fashion.
Jacques Villeneuve added that whereas Hamilton stays calm, he should additionally present candid suggestions to the workforce about Ferrari’s long-standing winless streak. The veteran driver is reportedly optimistic that the brand new technology of automobiles, designed beneath his steerage, might align higher together with his ground-effect driving preferences, giving him and Ferrari a stronger platform for championship competition within the coming season.
General, Lewis Hamilton’s third-place qualifying effort in Mexico displays not solely his enhancing adaptation to the Ferrari SF-25 but in addition his strategic deal with influencing the long run course of the workforce. His collaboration with Charles Leclerc continues to strengthen, with the Monegasque driver taking the highlight on short-term frustrations, whereas Hamilton prepares to leverage his expertise to maximise Ferrari’s potential in 2026.
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