Ferrari insiders optimistic about Lewis Hamilton’s Saudi GP potential after SF25 upgrades in Sakhir

Hamilton Encouraged by Bahrain Progress as Ferrari Targets Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Breakthrough

Lewis Hamilton finally had reason to sound more upbeat following the Bahrain Grand Prix, offering a far more optimistic tone than his downbeat post-race reflections in Japan and China. After enduring a tough run of form—including a disqualification in Shanghai due to excessive plank wear and being outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc despite the Monegasque’s damaged front wing—Hamilton delivered his strongest result of the season so far with a fifth-place finish in Bahrain.

While Ferrari’s strategic gamble at the Sakhir circuit was undone by the ill-timed deployment of the race’s only safety car, it’s unlikely that the seven-time world champion would have finished any higher than fifth. Still, this performance—coupled with his impressive Sprint Race win in Shanghai—marks a significant step forward for the 40-year-old in what has been a challenging start to his Ferrari tenure.

Concerns remain, however. Former F1 driver David Coulthard has voiced doubts over whether Hamilton has lost some of his edge in qualifying, noting that the Briton only managed to start the Bahrain race from ninth on the grid. Nevertheless, Ferrari’s early-season update package, which included an improved floor design for the SF-25, appears to have delivered tangible benefits.

Given that Hamilton’s disqualification in China was attributed to excessive plank wear, the upgraded floor represents not just a performance boost but a critical structural fix. These changes may now set the stage for Ferrari to become even more competitive at the high-speed Jeddah Street Circuit, home of the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Ferrari Confident Hamilton Can Shine in Jeddah After SF-25 Upgrades

According to a recent report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari engineers are highly encouraged by the impact of their first major development package of 2025. The Italian publication claims the team has “nearly doubled” the optimal operating window of the SF-25 thanks to the new floor, with both Hamilton and Leclerc seeing immediate benefits in performance and consistency.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix presents a very different challenge compared to Bahrain. Jeddah’s smooth, high-speed layout features far less abrasive asphalt, which could reduce McLaren’s usual tyre management advantage—a key strength that has often helped them outperform rivals during races with high degradation.

Ferrari insiders believe this change in circuit characteristics may provide ideal conditions for both of their drivers. Gazzetta even reports internal estimates of a potential “30% performance increase” over the Bahrain outing, making Jeddah a key opportunity for the team to close the gap to its rivals.

Such an upswing in form could put added pressure on George Russell in the Mercedes, who has been battling Ferrari and McLaren for podium contention. Whether this anticipated step forward will be enough to challenge McLaren’s current advantage, however, remains to be seen.

Ferrari Planning Aggressive Development Path Amid Constructors’ Title Chase

As the 2025 Formula 1 season progresses, one of the most critical strategic decisions facing teams is when to shift development resources toward their 2026 cars. While several outfits are already looking ahead to the next generation of regulations, Ferrari cannot afford to take their foot off the gas in the current campaign—not with Lewis Hamilton still adjusting to life at Maranello and a championship bid theoretically still within reach.

Gazzetta reports that Ferrari is already hard at work on its next set of updates, expected to be introduced at the Miami Grand Prix. The Scuderia knows that updates must come swiftly and regularly, as late-season improvements leave fewer races in which to capitalize—especially given that the 2026 technical regulations will bring sweeping changes that demand early attention.

Ferrari is currently facing a deficit of nearly 100 points in the constructors’ standings, and Hamilton already trails McLaren’s Lando Norris by more than 50 points in the drivers’ championship. Although the gap is not yet insurmountable, the window for a meaningful comeback will narrow as the season wears on.

For Hamilton and Ferrari alike, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix may serve as a litmus test—not only of the SF-25’s development potential but of how far this new partnership can go in 2025.

Apr 17, 2025David Carter

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