Lewis Hamilton’s fourth-place finish at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, his best main race result since joining Ferrari, served as a bittersweet reminder of the Italian team’s ongoing struggles in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite the seven-time champion’s valiant effort to climb through the field from 12th on the grid, Ferrari found itself unable to compete with the front-running Red Bull and McLaren cars for a spot on the podium. “Grazie a tutti (thank you, everyone) for the tifosi, that was for them,” Hamilton said over the team radio, acknowledging the passionate Ferrari fans who filled the stands with a sea of red. Speaking to British broadcaster Sky Sports, Hamilton admitted that the team “didn’t expect the result that we had today,” and that it had been “tough to swallow” when both he and teammate Charles Leclerc qualified outside the top 10 on Saturday. “I felt I won with the car, and I think you could probably see that. It felt so great to finally get the setup right,” he added. “I mean, ecstatic. I was hoping for some more laps. It would have been great to have challenged for a podium. Today I felt much more at one with the car, something I’d been chasing since the Sprint in China. Everything came together: the strategy, the pit stops, the balance, it all worked in harmony and allowed us to recover strongly from our qualifying position. There’s still work to do, especially over one lap, but if we can keep building on days like this, we’ll be in the mix for podiums.”

By | May 23, 2025

Lewis Hamilton’s fourth-place finish at the 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix marked his best main race result since joining Ferrari, offering a mix of hope and frustration for the Italian squad. Starting 12th on the grid after a disappointing qualifying session, Hamilton delivered a determined drive through the field, showcasing his skill and resilience. While Ferrari ultimately lacked the pace to challenge Red Bull and McLaren for a podium, the result was a positive sign of progress.

In a heartfelt message over the team radio, Hamilton said, “Grazie a tutti—for the tifosi, that was for them,” acknowledging the loyal Ferrari fans whose presence painted the Imola grandstands red. The British driver later shared his reflections with Sky Sports, revealing that the team hadn’t anticipated such a strong recovery, especially after both he and teammate Charles Leclerc failed to qualify inside the top ten.

“It was tough to swallow,” Hamilton admitted, “but today felt like a small victory. I felt at one with the car, something I’ve been striving for since the Sprint in China. Everything clicked—the setup, the balance, the strategy, even the pit stops. It gave me the confidence to push and make the most of every opportunity on track.”

Despite the encouraging race pace, Hamilton emphasized that there is still significant work ahead, particularly in improving Ferrari’s one-lap performance. However, he expressed optimism for the future: “If we can keep building on days like this, I believe we’ll be in the mix for podiums more consistently.”

Hamilton’s spirited drive served as a reminder of his enduring talent and a glimpse of what could be possible if Ferrari continues on this upward trajectory. For now, it’s a step forward in what has been a challenging campaign for the Scuderia.

 

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