F1 2025: Lewis Hamilton improvements called for at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Australië — Photo: © IMAGO

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Lewis Hamilton improvements called for at Ferrari

The seven-time world champion endured a disappointing start to his Ferrari career in Melbourne

By Kevin McKenna.

Wednesday 19 March 2025 02:53

Ferrari have called for improvements at the team after a disastrous career debut for Lewis Hamilton at the 2025 Formula 1 season opener.

The seven-time world champion's debut in red was given much hype over the winter break, with Hamilton entering his first race for Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix.

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But it turned out to be a weekend to forget for the 40-year-old, who finished an incident-packed race down in 10th, two places behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Lando Norris successfully converted his pole position into a fine victory, with defending champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell also featuring on the podium.

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Problems regarding pit-to-car radio communications played a significant part in Hamilton's struggles in Melbourne, with the F1 star engaging in several tense back-and-forth exchanges with new race engineer, Ricciardo Adami.

That, in addition to the team's decision to keep him out on slick tyres amid treacherous conditions, ensured it was a disappointing start to Hamilton's career at the Scuderia.

Speaking post-race, team principal Fred Vasseur made it clear that the team must learn from their mistakes and make big improvements ahead of this week's Chinese Grand Prix.

Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur is hoping for big improvements in China this weekend

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"It was the first race, the first time that we have to communicate between the pit wall and the car, and we can do a better job and know each other more," Vasseur said.

"For sure it was not a clean one at all, the strategy was difficult and we need to find a better way to communicate between the car and the pit wall but we will learn from race one and it is not an issue.

"It was not a shock but for sure it was not a good weekend for us. But we focus on next week [the Chinese Grand Prix] and learn a lot from this weekend because we made mistakes.

"We need to improve the communication, understand what Lewis needs from the communication, and it is only in this situation that we can be in the situation. We will be much better next week."

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Daniel Ricciardo Australian Grand Prix Chinese Grand Prix