Lewis Hamilton Hopes for Ferrari Pace in Abu Dhabi After Challenging Start

Lewis Hamilton expressed hope for improved pace from his Ferrari-bound car in Abu Dhabi this weekend, following a difficult opening day of practice. The seven-time world champion, who sat out FP1, struggled with car balance in FP2, landing him 14th on the timesheets.

Why it matters:

Hamilton is chasing his first podium finish of the season in the final race, a feat crucial to maintaining his unbroken record of securing at least one podium every year. A strong showing here would also provide a much-needed boost for Mercedes and offer insights into potential improvements as he looks ahead to his Ferrari move.

The details:

• Missed FP1: Hamilton did not participate in the first practice session, as Arthur Leclerc took the wheel for a mandatory rookie F1 outing. This put Hamilton on the 'back foot' for the rest of the day, making it harder to get up to speed quickly.
• FP2 Struggles: In his first session, FP2, Hamilton could only manage the 14th fastest lap time, indicating significant challenges with the car's setup.
• Balance Issues: Hamilton reported a "difficult balance" with the car, highlighting problems with 'ride, bouncing, and understeer' that need immediate attention from his team.
• Sector Performance Discrepancy: He noted that while his pace in the first and second sectors was competitive, a substantial deficit of "seven tenths" in the third sector was costing him dearly.

What's next:

Hamilton remains optimistic that the team can address the car's issues before FP3 and qualifying. Resolving the balance and understeer problems, particularly in the slower third sector, will be key to unlocking better performance.

• If improvements can be made, Hamilton believes he can position himself for a stronger result in Sunday's race.
• This final race is his last opportunity to extend his remarkable streak of podium finishes, adding extra pressure and importance to finding pace.