Lewis Hamilton remains optimistic that Ferrari can close the gap to McLaren in 2025, insisting the team has not given up on the chase as the Formula 1 season progresses.
After joining Ferrari, Hamilton was expected to be in the title fight, following the team’s strong performance last season that pushed McLaren to the limit. However, Ferrari has endured a difficult start to the campaign, scoring only 17 points and sitting fifth in the standings—its worst opening since failing to score in the first two rounds of 2009.
Despite flashes of potential—such as Hamilton’s pole position and sprint race victory in China—Ferrari has struggled with consistency. Operational errors in both races have further hindered the team’s progress. Meanwhile, McLaren has capitalized on its strong package, securing back-to-back wins to start the season.
Hamilton, who won his first F1 title with McLaren in 2008, acknowledged the strength of his former team and their MCL39 challenger.
“McLaren has done a great job and looks very strong,” Hamilton told the media, including Motorsport Week, ahead of the Shanghai weekend. “They’re quick on long runs and in all conditions; they look fantastic.”
Ferrari Focused on Closing the Gap
While former teammate George Russell believes McLaren could dominate 2025, Hamilton remains confident that Ferrari can fight back.
“That’s not how we’re approaching each weekend,” the seven-time world champion asserted. “We’re still learning the car and working to extract more performance. We definitely have work to do, but I believe we can close the gap.”
Ferrari Dismisses Concerns Over SF-25 Performance
Ferrari’s rocky start has led to speculation that its bold changes to the SF-25 may not have yielded the expected improvements. However, team principal Fred Vasseur dismissed such concerns, pointing to Hamilton’s dominant sprint race win in China as proof of the car’s potential.
“I don’t need reassurance from the sprint pole position and victory,” Vasseur told L’Equipe. “The numbers speak for themselves. Seven seconds of advantage after a third of the race was perhaps the biggest show of dominance so far.”
As the season progresses, Ferrari remains determined to unlock the full potential of the SF-25 and challenge McLaren’s early supremacy.
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