Hamilton Overcomes Setbacks to Shine in Bahrain Grand Prix

MANAMA, Bahrain — Lewis Hamilton rebounded from a challenging qualifying session to steer his Ferrari to fifth place in the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix on April 14. After starting ninth on the grid, Hamilton’s performance marked a significant turnaround, while his teammate Charles Leclerc secured a fourth-place finish after beginning the race in second.

Hamilton expressed a renewed sense of optimism, suggesting he has started to grasp the intricacies of his new car. “What’s clear is that, as humans, we really get stuck in our ways,” Hamilton shared with Sky Sports F1. “I feel like I’ve been driving a car with the same team for such a long time… and I’ve moved to a new car that requires such a different driving style and settings.”

The seven-time world champion highlighted some of the adjustments he has made since switching to Ferrari, including his use of engine braking, which he had not employed in years. “The car requires a much different driving style. So I’m adjusting to that, and I think I’m slowly getting it into my head, and getting the balance right,” Hamilton said.

In Bahrain, both Ferraris opted for a different strategy compared to most of the grid, starting the race on medium-compound tires while the rest of the top 10 had used softs. Although Leclerc lost positions early on, Hamilton quickly moved up the ranks, passing both Williams and another competitor to solidify his position.

Leclerc’s strategy faced setbacks as he fell victim to an earlier pit stop before a safety car was deployed on lap 32, while Hamilton managed to navigate the challenges on track more effectively. After the safety car restart, he engaged in a brief battle with Lando Norris, who ultimately distanced himself from Hamilton.

With Verstappen’s recent issues, Hamilton enjoyed a buffer from behind, allowing him more time to refine his driving. He recognized the necessity of optimizing his qualifying laps, as minor time losses during this phase can lead to significant differences in overall race performance. “You won’t replace 12 years of collaboration in two weeks or two races,” Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur noted during a post-race media briefing.

Vasseur emphasized the need for both driver and team to evolve together. “It’s good to have Lewis with this mindset: ‘I have to improve myself, and to adapt myself to the car.’ We will adapt the car to Lewis, but he also has to do a step,” he said, addressing the importance of collaboration moving forward.

As the Formula 1 season progresses, Hamilton aims to build momentum from this race in hopes of a stronger qualifying performance at future events. “I’ve got to make it easy for myself – I’m doing it all the hard way at the moment,” he acknowledged, promising to refine his approach ahead of the next competition. The Bahrain Grand Prix showcased that even amidst challenges, determination and adaptation can lead to promising results.