Sam Chicken identifies key Ferrari flaw inflicting Lewis Hamilton main struggles in Mexico Metropolis
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton delivered a formidable exhibiting within the remaining apply session of the 2025 System 1 Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, securing the second-fastest time on Saturday. Nevertheless, regardless of the encouraging consequence, former driver and BBC analyst Sam Chicken recognized a recurring situation that might hinder Hamilton’s qualifying efficiency — Ferrari’s braking instability.
The seven-time world champion continued to adapt to life at Scuderia Ferrari after sitting out FP1 on Friday to permit growth driver Antonio Fuoco to finish the workforce’s obligatory rookie session. Lewis Hamilton returned in FP2 with a 1:17.692 lap that positioned him fifth general earlier than bettering considerably in FP3, the place he posted a 1:16.978 — ok for P2 behind Lando Norris, who topped the session for McLaren with a 1:16.633.
Lewis Hamilton’s enchancment confirmed Ferrari’s sturdy one-lap potential, though the British driver nonetheless trailed Norris by 0.345 seconds. Earlier in FP2, he had additionally been 0.300s off Max Verstappen’s benchmark time as Crimson Bull and McLaren continued to point out aggressive tempo throughout completely different situations. With qualifying looming, Ferrari will intention to transform Hamilton’s encouraging FP3 type right into a breakthrough consequence after a tricky stretch — the Briton has not began greater than P5 up to now eight Grands Prix, struggling a number of Q2 and even one Q1 exit.
Sam Chicken highlights Ferrari braking points that left Hamilton struggling
Regardless of clocking the second-fastest lap, Hamilton’s session was removed from easy. In keeping with Sam Chicken’s stay commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports activities Additional, the 40-year-old appeared to wrestle repeatedly underneath braking — notably into Turns 1 and 4 of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Chicken famous that Hamilton locked up a number of instances, forcing him into the run-off areas on a number of events.
Early in FP3, simply seven minutes after his first timed try, Lewis Hamilton ran large at Flip 4. Minutes later, he locked his front-right tyre whereas approaching Flip 1, which compelled him to briefly take to the grass. Later within the session, one other heavy braking second into Flip 4 induced him to make use of the escape highway totally. These small however constant errors prompt a scarcity of front-end confidence within the Ferrari SF-25 — notably throughout high-deceleration zones the place the automotive’s braking steadiness appeared unsettled.
Chicken defined that the problem appeared to stem from front-axle habits, describing how the Briton was compelled to carry off the brake pedal to stop extreme flat-spotting. Even so, the incident left him with a minor vibration, one thing that may simply compromise tire efficiency later in a session. The statement bolstered rising issues that Ferrari’s present setup should still lack the perfect braking stability required for the circuit’s low-grip floor and excessive altitude.
Hamilton goals to enhance Ferrari’s braking confidence forward of qualifying
Regardless of these moments of instability, Hamilton’s general efficiency demonstrated regular progress all through the weekend. Ferrari engineers have been experimenting with entrance suspension settings and brake bias changes in an effort to offer higher suggestions underneath heavy braking — an space that has typically troubled the SF-25 on bumpy circuits.
Lewis Hamilton’s means to recuperate from early errors and nonetheless finish FP3 in P2 means that the workforce has made tangible positive aspects since Friday. But, as Chicken identified, mastering Ferrari’s braking system will probably be important for Hamilton to combat for pole place. With the margins between McLaren, Crimson Bull, and Ferrari tightening to mere tenths, even a slight lock-up in qualifying might resolve beginning positions.
The Mexico Metropolis circuit has historically been certainly one of Lewis Hamilton’s stronger venues — he famously claimed pole place in 2016 and has twice received on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Nevertheless, his current type exhibits a unique image, with P6 qualifying outcomes in each 2023 and 2024 whereas driving for Mercedes. Now, in his debut season with Ferrari, Hamilton is hoping to interrupt that streak and ship a top-three begin for the Scuderia.
Ferrari targets front-row potential amid shut combat with McLaren and Crimson Bull
With the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix qualifying session set to start, Ferrari’s most important goal will probably be making certain each Hamilton and Charles Leclerc can extract the utmost from the SF-25. Leclerc completed FP3 in P4 with a 1:17.199, indicating each vehicles are aggressive however nonetheless trailing McLaren’s spectacular one-lap efficiency. As engineers proceed fine-tuning brake temperatures and aerodynamic steadiness, Ferrari stays cautiously optimistic about difficult for the entrance row.
Lewis Hamilton’s improved rhythm within the later levels of FP3 prompt that Ferrari’s newest setup route could lastly be paying off. The mixture of enhanced braking management and tire administration will probably be decisive elements as groups put together for the extraordinary warmth and skinny air of Mexico Metropolis’s high-altitude observe.
If the Briton can iron out the braking inconsistencies recognized by Chicken and keep the momentum from FP3, he might place himself as a real contender for pole — or no less than a powerful front-row begin — as Ferrari goals to maintain its championship hopes alive in opposition to McLaren and Crimson Bull within the coronary heart of Mexico Metropolis.
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