Lewis Hamilton’s debut as a Ferrari driver on Italian soil turned bittersweet as the seven-time champion faced a crushing qualifying session at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The British icon, racing in front of Ferrari’s passionate tifosi for the first time, failed to advance to Q3, securing a dismal 12th-place start alongside teammate Charles Leclerc in 11th. Hamilton, visibly emotional, described the day as “devastating,” while Leclerc echoed the frustration, bluntly stating Ferrari’s current car “has no potential.” The SF-25’s struggles left both drivers grappling with a harsh reality: even legends can’t outdrive a flawed machine.
Lewis Hamilton’s raw honesty after Ferrari letdown
Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to Ferrari was meant to reignite his title ambitions, but Imola laid bare the team’s uphill battle. After a shaky qualifying run, the 39-year-old didn’t hold back. “Devastated. Just gutted,” he admitted, reflecting on a session where the SF-25’s shortcomings overshadowed his meticulous setup. Despite optimal brakes and adjustments, Hamilton found no extra pace—even with fresh soft tires.
“The speed [Verstappen] has through Turns 2 and 3… we just can’t match it,” he said, pinpointing Red Bull’s stark advantage.
Leclerc’s frustration mirrored Lewis Hamilton’s. Over team radio, a disbelieving “my God” slipped out when he learned of his 11th-place grid slot. “We are P-nowhere,” the Monegasque driver later told Sky F1, emphasizing Ferrari’s lack of raw performance.
“I can’t do miracles,” he added, underscoring the car’s limitations.
Breaking down Ferrari’s Imola struggles
The SF-25’s flaws were glaring at Imola’s technical circuit. Hamilton highlighted inconsistent grip, particularly on new tires, which failed to “come alive” during critical laps. Leclerc, meanwhile, struggled with understeer and a lack of rear stability—issues that plagued both drivers throughout practice and qualifying.
Ferrari’s upgrades, introduced earlier this season, seem to have stalled progress. While rivals like McLaren and Red Bull have unlocked speed, the Scuderia’s package remains erratic. Hamilton’s feedback—a blend of technical critique and emotional candor—paints a picture of a team still searching for answers.
“Everything was in place, but we just can’t go quicker,” he lamented.
Tifosi’s high hopes meet harsh reality
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was supposed to electrify the tifosi, but Imola’s qualifying deflated the mood. The grandstands, usually a sea of red euphoria, buzzed with concern as both cars languished outside the top 10. For Hamilton, the weight of expectation is immense.
“Racing here in red… it’s a dream,” he’d said earlier this season. Now, that dream feels distant.
Leclerc, long accustomed to Ferrari’s rollercoaster, struck a pragmatic tone. “We need to be better,” he stressed, though offered no quick fixes. With the SF-25 lagging in downforce and tire management, even his relentless pushing can’t mask the car’s deficits.
Sunday’s race offers a chance for damage control, but overtaking at Imola is notoriously tough. Hamilton and Leclerc will rely on strategy and tire conservation to climb the order, but podium hopes seem slim. For Ferrari, the focus shifts to upgrades—and fast. With the European leg of the season underway, the pressure to close the gap to Red Bull and McLaren intensifies.
Lewis Hamilton’s resilience will be tested like never before. “I’ll keep fighting,” he vowed, but his post-qualifying demeanor hinted at a deeper reckoning. Even for a driver of his caliber, Ferrari’s revival might require more time—and patience—than anyone anticipated.