Lewis Hamilton makes brutal admission as Ferrari struggles endure

04/19/2025 04:10 PM

Lewis Hamilton has said he is a "long way off" the required pace, regardless of what he does or tries at Ferrari. The seven-time F1 drivers' champion has endured a difficult start to life with the Scuderia, despite taking a victory in the sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix last month. Other than that, the 40-year-old has struggled to adapt to his new car, the SF-25, and is comfortably and consistently off the pace of team-mate Charles Leclerc. When asked if the gap between the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the next round in Miami will provide the reset he needs to get his season on track, Hamilton reflected on the harsh reality of his current form. "I hope it does," Hamilton told media including RacingNews365 . "But we'll keep working. "No matter what I try, I'm a long way off. But you don't give up, you just keep trying." "I really don't know. I'm gonna just try and race and see if I go forwards. "If I can go forwards, that'd be great. If not, then you'll be hopeful for something to happen, to try and capitalise on, but just gonna to try to extract the most from the car and strategy." Hamilton hopeful to capitalise on misfortune Hamilton qualified a disappointing seventh at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, over half a second behind Leclerc, who was fourth fastest. To add to his misery, he was out-performed by the driver he replaced at the Maranello-based team, William driver Carlos Sainz, for a second weekend in succession. However, the Briton has shown better form in race trim so far this campaign, and is hoping to take advantage of whatever opportunities might be presented in the grand prix. "I really don't know. I'm gonna just try and race and see if I go forwards," the 105-time grand prix winner said. "If I can go forwards, that'd be great. If not, then you'll be hopeful for something to happen, to try and capitalise on, but just going to try to extract the most from the car and strategy."