22/05/2025 18:40
Lewis Hamilton has agreed that time "really is" running out for
Ferrari this season, before it switches its full focus to the new
power unit regulations next year. It has been close to a
disastrous start to the campaign for Ferrari and Hamilton, whose
biggest achievement so far in 2025 is his sprint pole and sprint
win in China. Ferrari has comfortably been the slowest of the 'big
four', with the Maranello-based outfit having suffered an
embarrassing double Q2 exit in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The
Italian team are throwing upgrades at the SF-25, yet it remains a
challenge for both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. A huge concern
for the seven-time world champion was that he felt good in the car
in Imola, yet still found himself unable to progress to Q3 in
qualifying. Ferrari has insisted it will get to grips with
whatever is holding back its performance; however, the point of the
year is approaching when teams will start to switch full focus to
next year. Failure to switch focus to 2026 at the right time could
be hugely costly, meaning Ferrari do not have all season to improve
its current package. Hamilton is very aware of this, but is
insistent that his maiden Ferrari season is about becoming settled
in the team. "It really is," agreed Hamilton, when put by
RacingNews365 that time is running out before Ferrari focus solely
on 2026. "I think this is at least from my side, this is a
foundation building year. Getting to grips with everything within
the team, making changes that are needed in order to help the team
navigate to success long-term. "That's stuff that I'm focused on
in the background. And there's a lot of improvements we can make
across the board, as well as building a faster car. I have all the
faith and belief we can do it."
