Hamilton Eyes Top 10 Finish as Ferrari Struggles in Saudi Arabia
Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging day at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, finishing Free Practice 2 in 13th place and expressing his determination to break into the top 10 for the remainder of the weekend.
After a promising start to the season, including a victory in the Sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton has struggled to find his footing in the Ferrari SF-25. This performance marks a stark contrast to his teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured a commendable fourth place in the same session.
Hamilton admitted he faced difficulties getting the tires to perform effectively during practice. “Not the greatest,” he said, reflecting on his performance. “Getting the tires working was the issue for us today. It’s nothing to do with the team; we were just struggling to get the tires to operate as needed.”
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains optimistic about making improvements ahead of the next practice session and qualifying. “There were moments in the session that felt good, but once we got to the soft tire, it just wasn’t there. We’ll make some changes overnight and hope to come back stronger tomorrow.”
The seven-time world champion is focusing on incremental progress, stating, “For me, I’m just seeing if I can get in the top 10 at the moment.” With such a competitive field, Hamilton knows that every improvement counts as he aims to regain his footing in the championship race.
In contrast, Leclerc offered a more positive outlook despite the challenging track conditions. “It was a tricky day,” he noted. “This track requires a lot of confidence to perform at your best. We made several changes to the car, and I learned a lot from it. If we can put everything together, there should be more performance coming out of the car.”
The dynamics between the two drivers highlight the contrasting fortunes within the Scuderia Ferrari team. While Leclerc is finding his rhythm, Hamilton is left searching for answers as he adapts to his new machine.
As the teams prepare for the final practice and qualifying sessions on April 19, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see if he can capitalize on any adjustments made to the car. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promises to deliver excitement, with Hamilton desperate to reclaim his spot among the leaders.
