Lewis Hamilton has issued a candid apology to his Ferrari team after a disappointing qualifying session at the Australian Grand Prix, where he could only manage ninth on the grid while teammate Charles Leclerc secured a front-row spot.
The seven-time world champion, in his debut weekend with the Scuderia after switching from Mercedes, admitted his performance fell short of expectations. “I’ve got to say sorry to everyone at the factory and here at the track,” Hamilton said post-session. “It’s not acceptable to be this far back when the car has real pace. Charles showed what it’s capable of, and I just didn’t get the most out of it today.”
Hamilton pinpointed setup choices and a tricky final lap as key issues, noting the SF-25 felt strong in practice but didn’t deliver when it mattered. “We made some changes that didn’t quite click for me,” he explained. “I pushed hard, but traffic and a small lock-up cost me dearly. No excuses – I need to be better.”
Leclerc, meanwhile, praised the team’s efforts, qualifying second behind Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. “The car is quick, and we’re in the fight,” the Monegasque driver said. “Lewis will bounce back; he’s adapting fast to our setup.”
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur echoed that sentiment, downplaying the setback. “It’s early days for Lewis with us. The important thing is the car’s potential – we’ll work together to unlock it for both drivers tomorrow.”
With the grid set, Hamilton faces a tough race from mid-pack, but his history of comebacks suggests he could still salvage points in Melbourne. The Australian GP kicks off the 2025 season, with Ferrari aiming to challenge Red Bull’s dominance right from the start.
