Lewis Hamilton’s Spanish GP Struggles Spotlight Ferrari Considerations Forward of Canadian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton stays probably the most profitable driver in Spanish Grand Prix historical past, however his dominance at Montmeló was nowhere to be seen in 2025. The seven-time world champion endured one other underwhelming outing with Ferrari final weekend, marking one more setback in a season crammed with challenges.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been the positioning of six of Hamilton’s document 105 Grand Prix victories. Nevertheless, this yr the Briton might solely handle a sixth-place end, a place he inherited after Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen obtained a 10-second penalty for colliding with George Russell. Hamilton had initially crossed the road in seventh.
To compound issues, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg overtook Hamilton late within the race, relegating him from his beginning place of fifth. Regardless of the frustration, Ferrari nonetheless had some motive to have fun, as Charles Leclerc delivered a powerful drive to safe a podium end. The Monegasque driver capitalised on Max Verstappen’s mistake throughout a security automotive restart and got here inside two-tenths of a second of race winner Oscar Piastri, who had began from pole and claimed McLaren’s second victory of the season.
Leclerc’s efficiency in Spain adopted his second-place end on the Monaco Grand Prix, marking the primary time Ferrari has achieved back-to-back podiums within the 2025 season.
Nevertheless, staff principal Fred Vasseur stays cautious regardless of the latest momentum. Talking after the race, he urged the staff to “keep humble,” expressing issues in regards to the unpredictable nature of Pirelli’s 2025 tyre compounds.
In keeping with feedback reported by Motorsport-Whole, Fred Vasseur defined that whereas Ferrari has proven enchancment in tyre administration over latest rounds, the outcomes from Monaco and Spain don’t assure continued success. He emphasised that every weekend presents a brand new problem and warned that Ferrari should primarily reset their expectations heading into each race. Particularly, he singled out the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal as a possible stumbling block, given the particular traits of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and the best way the tyres behave.
Lewis Hamilton, who has traditionally thrived in Montreal, is probably not happy with such a cautious outlook. The Canadian Grand Prix has lengthy been one among his strongest occasions, with the Briton securing a joint-record seven victories there—an achievement he shares with Ferrari icon Michael Schumacher. Hamilton has additionally claimed six pole positions on the venue, additional underlining his prowess on the observe.
Nevertheless, it has been a while since Hamilton final dominated the roost in Canada. His most up-to-date pole place got here in 2017, and his final win was in 2019. Ferrari, too, has not tasted victory in Montreal since Sebastian Vettel’s triumph in 2018. Because the Scuderia now appears to be like forward to the upcoming race weekend from June 13 to fifteen, hopes of a podium end for the Briton stay unsure.
Internally, Lewis Hamilton is believed to be feeling stress—not solely to ship a powerful outcome for Ferrari but in addition to silence rising doubts inside the staff. Reviews counsel that the keenness surrounding his high-profile arrival has given technique to skepticism amongst some members of the Scuderia.
The transition from Mercedes to Ferrari has not been easy for the 40-year-old, and the dearth of standout performances is starting to put on on each the motive force and the staff.
If Lewis Hamilton is to reignite perception inside the Ferrari camp, a return to type in Canada could possibly be essential. Nevertheless, with Fred Vasseur downplaying expectations and the Pirelli tyres posing continued unpredictability, the highway to redemption stays steep for System 1’s most adorned driver.
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