Ferrari has identified a problem with its car which has been present since the start of the season, Lewis Hamilton revealed after the Japanese Grand Prix.
Hamilton raced from eighth to seventh at Suzuka while team mate Charles Leclerc finished fourth. The team ended last year in more competitive shape than it has started the new season.Ferrari believes it has identified a fault on the car which has contributed to their poor form, said Hamilton.
I think I did the best I could today,” he told Sky. “[I was], generally lacking performance compared to all the cars that are up ahead of me, particularly Mercedes and McLaren and obviously the Red Bull.
“We’ve found something on the car that’s been underperforming for the last three races. So I’m really hoping when that’s fixed I’ll start getting a bit better results.
“But I’m losing just over a tenth [of a second] a lap with this issue we have. So I’m hoping in the next race it’s fixed.
Hamilton indicated the team doesn’t fully understand the cause of the problem but hopes to remedy it with a new part which it will introduce soon.
“They’re aware of it and they don’t know why [it’s happening],” he said. “So, as I said, when the new component comes, hopefully it’ll be gone and it’ll be the same across cars.
“Considering that, I’m relatively happy with the race pace that I did have, given what I had. But otherwise, good performance from the team. Myself and Riccardo I think did a really good job, the engineers and mechanics also did a great job.”
However Hamilton said he also needs to improve his performance in qualifying. “Clearly it’s really important to get a good qualifying and I’m not extracting the best out of the tyres so that’s something I’ll work on.”
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2025 Japanese Grand Prix
- McLaren has to accept upsetting either of its drivers sometimes – Stella
- Verstappen ‘can test our car, I look forward to seeing his disappointment’ – Norris
- Verstappen insists McLaren domination claim was ‘no joke’ after Piastri’s doubt
- Extra mandatory pit stop won’t create more passing at tracks like Suzuka – Sainz
- Mercedes took note of Verstappen’s out-lap tactics after stunning Suzuka pole position
Keith Harris
6th April 2025, 10:37
Lewis should have quit after he was rob of his last title. why on earth did he join a team that have been mid table since the Schumacer days. He is just plodding around like Alonso when will sportsmen learn, retire at the top do not go chasing money that you do not need. I was his biggest fan for years but i cannot except him trundling round a car that will win nothing.
Doggy
6th April 2025, 13:32
That is why he one of the best ever drivers. He does not have the quitter mentality. Also, literally he won the sprint race.
Lewis is still is incredibly good
Finally, he did not get robbed of any championship. The season was made out of a couple of dozen of races, not just the last one.
grat
6th April 2025, 15:27
While I generally agree with you regarding Hamilton, this argument that somehow, because there were 22 races, the events of the 22nd race don’t matter, is a strange one.
No one made that sort of argument in 2007, 2008 or 2010– all three of which were seasons where the championship wasn’t decided until the last race.
It was a twenty-two race season, and Verstappen started out strong, but Hamilton fought back to the point where they were effectively tied going into Abu Dhabi. During the race, Lewis did everything he had to to win, and had the rulebook actually been followed (or Latifi kept his car on the track), he would have.
So yes– Lewis lost the 2021 championship due to circumstances totally beyond his control, and actions by two people totally outside the championship battle. It’s not that Verstappen stole the title, or Hamilton failed to perform– but that Massi decided that someone not named Hamilton should win the championship.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
7th April 2025, 17:02
Likewise, verstappen’s tyre failure in baku was a circumstance outside his control, just like bottas playing bowling at hungary and taking out both red bulls, himself and leclerc.
N
6th April 2025, 17:14
“Finally, he did not get robbed of any championship. The season was made out of a couple of dozen of races, not just the last one.”
This is nonsense, it’s like saying a boxing match wasn’t rigged where, in the 11th round the ref decided to tie of the boxers hands behind his back and declares next punch wins it, because they both fought ‘normally’ for 10 rounds prior.
Ferdi
6th April 2025, 15:28
I’m a bit conflicted about this. The end of 2021 would certainly have been a great time, career wise and also with an external reason to point to. The risk from 2022 onward was (and has proven to be) dilution of his career stats. On the other hand, Hamilton remains a great driver and as long as he enjoys it, finds that he is sufficiently motivated and he can make good money from it, then why not?
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
7th April 2025, 17:23
Personally, I like having hamilton around still, and leaving after 2021, for me, would’ve been considered a cowardly move if he had won (only won because of the dominant car and in case of 2021 better luck), and even if he hadn’t, as in reality, it still would’ve meant he was afraid to be beaten without a dominant car any more, and it’s what happened.
He’s not been as impressive from 2022 onwards, he’s more or less matched russell overall, lost in qualifying, did better in races and they scored similar points, and nowadays there’s verstappen who’s well above the others and then leclerc, norris and russell are probably the next coming up; in a season like last year he also certainly got outperformed by sainz, who was pretty good by his standards.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
7th April 2025, 17:24
It’s ofc interesting to see occasional good performances by him still, like the china sprint or silverstone last year or the recovery from a horrible qualifying to 2nd place in vegas, I think it was.
DonSmee (@david-beau)
6th April 2025, 17:40
That is your opinion of course, but as a LH fan I am loving this new Ferrari chapter of his. It’s like just reward for his time in the sport. I will be happy even he he bags a couple wins over the next few years. Any talks of an 8 WDC is a big wish as that is entirely out of Lewis’ control. (Look how long Alonso has been trekking on for “just” the 3 WDC!!).
DH
8th April 2025, 10:04
Oh my goodness. When will you lot give up! He was not robbed – he lost. Get a life!
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
6th April 2025, 11:18
He said nothing when he won the sprint.
Funny.
MichaelN
6th April 2025, 11:27
It’s only a tenth and they just found out. Why is that funny?
grat
6th April 2025, 15:29
Ferrari seems to perform well on low fuel. Less so when set up for a full tank.
What did you expect Hamilton to say? “Gee, I’m glad we won the sprint, because this car SUCKS!!!”
DonSmee (@david-beau)
6th April 2025, 17:41
It’s good sign that when the car is working well he will be the first to take advantage of it!
Applebook
6th April 2025, 20:15
The only surprising party is that Ferrari is also contributing to this ruse. Like I’ve said before, this guy will not last two full seasons with Ferrari. Bearman looking like a nice replacement for mid 2026.
Davethechicken
6th April 2025, 11:35
The Ferrari seems a long way behind both Red Bull and McLaren. Mercedes seem generally quicker too. Leclerc finished 16sec behind a Max who was managing pace today.
Maybe that is the answer?
Davethechicken
6th April 2025, 11:36
Reply to Fer No. 65
Ferdi
6th April 2025, 15:31
I agree the order at this moment in time seems to be McLaren, Mercedes, RedBull, Ferrari.. although I think Ferrari should actually be at the third spot and they are suffering from track specific circumstances now. The Sprint win was a strong indications things can turn their way over the course of the season.
Terrytibbs
6th April 2025, 12:00
Is the new part his replacement?
Peat Smoke
6th April 2025, 13:28
Just promote Bearman to Ferrari. He’ll perform more or less the same and he’s way cheaper.
Doggy
6th April 2025, 13:36
There is absolutely no way , shape, or form that you’re serious about this. Lewis is easily a top 5 driver in the grid.
You mean bearman, the guy who crashed THREE times in one grand prix weekend (Australia)
Peat Smoke
6th April 2025, 14:27
Hamilton top 5? Maybe among midfield drivers. The guy gets outqualified by Hadjars and Antonellis, and can’t even match Leclerc when Sharl drives with a damaged front wing. One lucky sprint doesn’t justify his salary, given that he’s on course to be vadoorne’d in races by Leclerc. That’s not something Bearman wouldn’t be able to accomplish.
Ferdi
6th April 2025, 15:38
That is maybe a bit too harsh. I think Hamilton is a fine driver but needs his material to be just a bit over everyone else’s to get his skills to work. He is still very good in clean air (ref. Sprint) when he can get in his rhythm. I would say Max, Lando, Charles, Alonso and Hamilton are the proven ones with an edge over the others. Potential is there for Oscar and Kimi. Russell is a bit in no one’s land between these groups.
Edvaldo
6th April 2025, 17:32
Too harsh. And obviously, unnecessary to mention his salary for a very simple reason: he brings money too, or did you forget Ferrari’s stock skyrocketed the day they announced him?
So yeah, Hamilton is looking old, but his salary is irrelevant to the conversation.
Dex
6th April 2025, 20:36
Your all forgetting that Ferrari share went up £6 billion overnight when they signed Hamilton.
David
7th April 2025, 8:18
Hamilton is the only driver to win a race this season, other than the McLarens and Max, sure Bearman could do that easily.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
7th April 2025, 17:08
It was a great performance by hamilton, but it’s just a sprint. No, I don’t think bearman could’ve done it, but it’s circumstancial, and it’s 1\3 of a race win; aside from that ferrari is not in contention for wins this year, save for a massive upgrade.
Ben
6th April 2025, 15:05
Hard to see Hamilton anywhere near the top 5 on current form. Rate the driver on here had him bottom 5 last season and I’d say he’s down there again this season so far.
His main problem is the new generation of both car and driver. He’s never mastered the cars and now the new talent is way stronger.
Hulk and Alonso have the same problem. Piastri, Kimi, bortoletto, Hadjar, Bearman are already showing they can beat more experienced team mates. They’ll only get better while older drivers only get worse.
Put Bearman in the Ferrari and does he honestly finish lower than 7th? No way, I’d actually argue he finishes higher up.
Ferdi
6th April 2025, 15:43
I agree with you but I also think Hamilton’s presence at Ferrari is based more on financial reasons than sporting reasons. The main reason is linking the brand to Hamiltons legacy and capitalising on that. A 7 time World Champion drives in a Ferrari, on and off track. Priceless.
Ambrogio Isgro
6th April 2025, 22:39
Well, Bortoleto today was beaten by Hulk.
But they signed Hamilton not just for the pace and not just for the Money. Ferrari needed a driver that gives a direction for the car and the team. Something that a rookie can’t give.
Ferdi
7th April 2025, 7:17
Lewis is capable of a lot, but giving direction for the car and the team is not one of them. He has shown in the past to be little involved in the team. Not like a Lauda, Schumacher or Max so to say. No, Lewis at Ferrari is purely financially driven.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
7th April 2025, 17:12
In terms of hamilton giving direction for the team, I would say it’s worth a shot, because either he’s the luckiest driver ever in terms of car or he must have a positive influence on development, as while I’m aware schumacher contributed as well to mercedes’ improvement, the big step was made in 2014, when hamilton got there, and the car stayed dominant or very competitive until the end of 2021.
Likewise, mclaren was very competitive his first 2 seasons, but stayed a front running team until the end of 2012; he left and immediately they stopped being a top team in 2013.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
7th April 2025, 17:14
Ops, hamilton got to merc in 2013, so he was the one driving the car the last season before they went from a team capable to win races to a dominant one.
DH
9th April 2025, 0:48
He shouldn’t even have a seat. Never should have. If he didn’t always have the best car he wouldn’t have made it as a rookie. He is literally the worst driver on the grid and always has been. Valtteri this is James….
Applebook
6th April 2025, 20:35
George already wiped the floor with him. If he’s still a top five driver, then what does that make Russell? Antonelli already looked really good on race day in Japan. Mercedes dodged a huge bullet and potentially found its future superstar.
debaser91
7th April 2025, 10:41
You sure have a really funny idea of what wiped the floor means.
DH
9th April 2025, 0:45
Valtteri this is James….
DH
9th April 2025, 0:49
100%
Colin
7th April 2025, 13:36
For a top 5 driver its funny how he keeps finishing outside the top 5.
Gilles Amon (@gillesamon)
6th April 2025, 12:08
“[…] while team mate Charles Leclerc finished third.“
That would have been great.
Norbert
6th April 2025, 12:27
Read some other articles, congrats to Charles was provided. Always the hate…
debaser91
6th April 2025, 12:52
It’s not great if Hamilton is pinning his hopes on small upgrades already. The ground effect cars don’t seem to really mesh with his driving style and he always seems to be searching for this golden bullet to change things on the technical side. At some point you just have to drive what you have.
His biggest problem is that for more than a year now his qualifying has been mediocre, and when the margins are so tight being two or three tenths off can put you in the lower half of the top 10 which then really compromises your race. If he qualifies in the first two rows he normally has a good race.
Ben
6th April 2025, 15:09
Careful! I said exactly that after Australia and the mob on here were calling me all sorts!
V12Racing
6th April 2025, 13:39
Once the new parts installed, the execute will be upgrades didn’t work as planned. Wind tunnel issues. And than focus is 2026….
Edvaldo
6th April 2025, 15:53
3 races in and now we can say it: the car is very weak. It’s the third race in a row they’re left behind by the faster cars ahead, unable to do a thing.
They have been so subpar that i have no doubt in my mind Hamilton’s car was illegal in that China Sprint race, so out of nowhere was that performance compared to what the car usually does.
They’re the 4th fastest, it’s just that the track has become so bad to overtake Russell couldn’t find a way past Leclerc.
MG1982 (@mg1982)
6th April 2025, 18:59
Was thinking too about the chances that his car wasn’t legal in the Sprint, but…. aren’t any checkings after Quali and Sprint?! Also, if we’re (still) thinking about the plank thicness, I guess it must have had the minimum required thicness since the Sprint was just 1/3 laps of the GP. Personally, I think his car was legal for the Quali and Sprint, it’s just that the changes they made/had to make for the GP distance didn’t work anymore. It’s not the 1st time their performance drops as the GP weekend unfolds.
MG1982 (@mg1982)
6th April 2025, 19:04
Plus, I think any of the other top teams would have said something about it if there was something to suggest HAM’s car was illegal.
Dex
6th April 2025, 20:42
Hamilton was the only driver in the top ten who overtook another racer today. All the other drivers finished where they started.
OlegG
6th April 2025, 19:09
It was very strange to see Hamilton’s times by sectors.
In the first hard tyres segment, he had a great pace in the first sector,
which even at the end of the segment was no worse than those who was after the pit stop.
His main losses relative to Mercedes were in the second sector.
But after the pit stop on the medium, everything was exactly the opposite.
Consistently good place in the second sector and losses in the first.
Ferrari is unpredictable
XM (@xmf1)
7th April 2025, 1:33
Indeed, I noticed that too during the race. I’m no motorsport engineer so it’s tricky for me to figure out why that happened. Did you also see the delta for Charles Vs the mercs? Particularly Vs Kimi during the second stint
GmP (@gmp)
7th April 2025, 6:14
Why is it so hard to accept to some that Lewis was the best driver in the best car for many years, following up Vettel, and then he himself being followed up by Max? And now maybe Max period might end and Lando takes over as best driver in the best car.
Except Nico none of the previous champions stopped after their highest success, and Nico was not a period-greatest, only one year.