Lewis Hamilton 'Constantly Challenged' by Ferrari SF-25's Flaw

Lewis Hamilton has openly voiced his frustration with the Ferrari SF-25, citing persistent 'stability' issues as a major hurdle. His comments come after a challenging Qatar Grand Prix weekend that saw him exit Q1 twice in a row, highlighting the team's ongoing struggles with car performance and development.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's inability to provide a stable and competitive car for a seven-time World Champion like Hamilton underscores deeper issues within the team's current development cycle. With new regulations looming in 2026, resolving these fundamental flaws is critical for Ferrari to reclaim its position at the front of the grid and avoid another season of underperformance.

The details:

• Qualifying Woes: Hamilton suffered back-to-back Q1 exits at the Qatar Grand Prix, further compounding a difficult season that he previously described as his 'worst ever'.
• Stability Issues: Hamilton explicitly stated that Ferrari is 'constantly challenged with stability' with the SF-25, indicating a fundamental flaw in the car's design or setup.
• Lack of Downforce: He also pointed to a 'lack of downforce' compared to rivals, attributing this to Ferrari's decision to halt development on the current car some time ago.
• Strategic Shift: Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed that Ferrari shifted its focus to the 2026 regulations as early as April, signaling a long-term strategy but potentially sacrificing current season performance.
• Sprint Race Challenges: The Sprint race in Qatar offered little opportunity for Hamilton to move up the field, with overtaking at a premium, finishing P17 after starting from the pit lane due to setup changes.

Looking Ahead:

Hamilton's candid remarks paint a clear picture of Ferrari's current struggles. While the team's early focus on 2026 is a strategic play, the immediate challenge remains making the SF-25 as competitive as possible.

• Grand Prix Strategy: Hamilton plans to 'try something different with strategy' for the Grand Prix to overcome starting from 18th, acknowledging the difficulty of overtaking on the Lusail International Circuit.
• Driver Standings Impact: Hamilton is currently P6 in the Drivers' standings, with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli just 12 points behind, adding pressure in the final two races.
• 2026 Hopes: The hope is that the early shift in focus to 2026 will yield a more stable and high-performing car, allowing Ferrari to be a genuine contender in the new era of Formula 1.