Lewis Hamilton expressed optimism about Ferrari’s potential for the remainder of the season, despite a challenging Friday practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton missed FP1 because Ferrari fulfilled its requirement for new drivers, but he managed to set the 14th quickest time in FP2, trailing the fastest driver, Lando Norris, by 0.8 seconds—mostly lost in the final sector.
This year has been tough for Hamilton, who has yet to reach the podium and has failed to score points in two of the last three races. Nonetheless, he remains hopeful that improvements made overnight on critical issues like bouncing and understeering will put the team in a better position for the final sessions.
Hamilton detailed the main problems he faces with the car and asked his team for help to fix them, especially in the third sector where he lost significant time compared to competitors. If these issues are resolved, he believes they can perform better in qualifying and the race.
Since joining Ferrari, Hamilton’s results have not met expectations, struggling with adapting to the team and lacking a car capable of winning races. Charles Leclerc has been the primary source of Ferrari’s success this year, securing all seven of their podium finishes. Hamilton’s season highlight was winning the sprint race in China from pole position.
When asked about his last Friday session with the SF-25, Hamilton responded with a laugh and a simple “Thank you.” He acknowledged that missing FP1 put him at a disadvantage, making it harder to find the right car balance, which he aims to improve.
He also praised Arthur, who drove in FP1, saying it’s encouraging to see new talent step up and perform well, though missing practice did impact his session.
Fan Take: This update highlights the ongoing challenges Hamilton faces at Ferrari, emphasizing the need for the team to resolve key technical issues to unlock their true potential. Racing fans should watch closely, as a late-season turnaround could reshape the competitive landscape and add excitement to the closing races.
