Lewis Hamilton endured a dismal Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, finishing seventh and describing the race as “horrible” after struggling throughout in his Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion found himself 31 seconds adrift of team-mate Charles Leclerc, who salvaged pride for Ferrari by securing the team’s first podium of the season with an impressive third-place finish.
“Nothing positive to take from today,” Hamilton said post-race. “It was horrible, not enjoyable at all. I was just sliding around. It’s pretty bad.”
Despite a strong sprint victory in China earlier in the season, Hamilton admitted he had no clear explanation for his dramatic loss of form in Jeddah. “I don’t have an answer,” he said, also conceding that no fix appears imminent. “At the moment there is no fix, so this is how it’s going to be for the rest of the year. It’s going to be painful.”
Currently sitting seventh in the drivers’ standings, Hamilton’s best finish this season remains fifth in Bahrain. With Miami looming, he remains unsure of when his struggles might ease.
Leclerc, however, delivered a composed and strategic performance, stretching a long first stint on medium tyres and overtaking Mercedes’ George Russell to secure third place.
“We maximised everything this weekend,” said Leclerc. “There wasn’t anything more in the car.”
The Monegasque driver expressed frustration at Ferrari’s ongoing qualifying woes, noting, “It’s been a long time I haven’t been happy with the car balance. Unfortunately, we just can’t fight for more in qualifying.”
Ferrari, who narrowly missed out on last year’s constructors’ title, began the season with high hopes. But early indications suggest rivals McLaren and Red Bull have made greater strides over the winter.
Now over 50 points adrift in the drivers’ championship, Leclerc urged urgency. “We cannot lose too many more races before finding the issue,” he warned. “We’re doing something wrong—clearly.”
As Ferrari seeks answers, their title ambitions already face a steep uphill climb.
