Lewis Hamilton’s Precision Driving Could Expose a Hidden Ferrari Weakness – Experts Predict He’s Now ‘Guaranteed’ to Take Advantage

Lewis Hamilton produced the best result of his brief Ferrari career in qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix, excluding Sprint events.

For the first time since leaving Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton will start on the second row of the grid in P4 alongside drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri.

His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc is directly in front of him after a fantastic session for the Scuderia.

Team principal Fred Vasseur will be delighted with his team’s progress after a tough start to the 2025 F1 season.

Vasseur is under pressure at Ferrari with expectations at the start of the season that they would be able to compete for both championships.

That already looks to be out of the equation, however, Ferrari rushed an update to the Austrian Grand Prix that has started to improve their performance.

A rear suspension update is on the cards for Ferrari as well, as they refuse to give up on this year’s car despite the changing regulations on the horizon next season.

However, Hamilton’s unique driving style means that he’s always going to suffer from one issue with the SF-25.


Photo by Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton’s driving style ‘guaranteed’ to expose Ferrari’s rear locking issue

Journalist Mark Hughes was covering the Austrian Grand Prix for The Race and Ferrari’s newest update.

Explaining Ferrari’s step forward in the Styrian hills and the progress they’re making compared to championship leaders McLaren, he said: “At half-a-second off the pace, no one was getting too excited about that.

“That said, the all-new floor (canoe section, diffuser, floor edges and vanes, ie everything) represents a very serious update and all the signs are that it is working well.

“Maybe when it is combined with the new rear suspension, the Ferrari will be back to being the second-best car on a more secure footing.

“For now, its race prospects against McLaren really would hang on it being easier on the tyres and perhaps that giving it access to a special strategy.

“Lewis Hamilton was fourth fastest, and close to at least matching Leclerc until the car’s bugbear of rear locking around here (guaranteed to be exposed by Hamilton’s late-braking style) cost him vital time.

“The Ferrari at least had a balance, and on this day, that was enough to put it ahead of Verstappen and Mercedes.

“But the McLaren’s balance was there at a much higher aerodynamic grip level.”

Lewis Hamilton already looking forward to 2026 Formula 1 season at Ferrari

Hamilton decided to join Ferrari after a dozen seasons with Mercedes to try and secure his eighth championship.

He would have been encouraged by their form at the end of last season; however, Ferrari haven’t got anywhere near that level since his arrival.

The 2026 season offers Hamilton and Leclerc a new opportunity when the rules are overhauled, as any of the 11 teams on the grid could theoretically be the pacesetters.

Ferrari have agreed to address Hamilton’s understeer issues with next year’s car, which should give him more confidence at key moments in qualifying and the race.

However, people in the paddock are concerned about Ferrari’s 2026 engine, with Mercedes and Audi potentially ahead of them in terms of development.

Hamilton will hope Ferrari continue to develop this year’s car, considering there are still 13 race weekends remaining.

All eyes are on whether Hamilton will end his run without a Formula 1 podium. If he misses out on Sunday, it will be the longest streak in his career without standing on the rostrum.

Related Posts

Coleen Rooney oozes beauty in bikini as Wayne shows off eye-catching hair transformation

Former footballer Wayne Rooney sported a very unusual hairdo as he enjoyed his sunny Ibiza getaway with wife Coleen, who looked gorgeous in a two-piece bikini Coleen…

Victoria Beckham shares update on David Beckham after surgery with cheeky recovery video

David Beckham was in hospital recently but his wife Victoria Beckham has shared an update with a video of the retired footballer back at home but sporting…

Taylor Swift fans spot ‘clue’ Matty Healy took aim at singer during Glastonbury performance

The 1975 fans think they spotted a very subtle swipe at Taylor Swift during their Glastonbury headliner performance as lead singer Matty Healy made a ‘poet’ reference…

Dick and Angel Strawbridge inundated with support as they share emotional announcement

The Strawbridges documented their renovation of their stunning French home on Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau, but after the show ended last year, they kept fans…

Noel and Liam Gallagher spark fury from Oasis crew with ‘money pinching’ decision

Oasis have been accused of being so ‘about the money’ that even their hard-working crew haven’t been given any free tickets to their upcoming reunion tour Liam…

Meghan Markle releases new As Ever wine and £21 jar of honey

The Duchess of Sussex has finally revealed the newest range of lifestyle products with her brand As Ever, surprising many with the outrages prices and limited availability…