The former Mercedes driver had started the Spanish Grand Prix in fifth but ended the race in sixth — and to the amazement of many, behind Nico Hülkenberg in the Kick Sauber. The seven-time champion’s post-race radio exchange with the Ferrari pit wall largely gave little indication that he was dealing with any mechanical problems during the race, which appeared to leave Hamilton and several of his supporters puzzled by his lack of pace.

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion and former Mercedes driver, began the Spanish Grand Prix in fifth position but surprisingly finished sixth, behind Nico Hülkenberg in the Kick Sauber — a result that stunned fans and pundits alike. The unexpected outcome raised questions, especially considering Hülkenberg’s car is not typically seen as a frontrunner.

Throughout the race, there were no obvious signs of mechanical issues or major incidents affecting Hamilton’s performance. His post-race radio messages to the Ferrari pit wall were calm and offered no hint of technical troubles, adding to the confusion surrounding his drop in pace. Hamilton himself appeared baffled by the result, as were many of his supporters who expected a stronger showing given his starting position and the performance potential of his car.

The lack of pace could suggest deeper issues — possibly related to tire management, car setup, or strategy decisions — but nothing has been confirmed by the team. For a driver of Hamilton’s caliber to finish behind a mid-field competitor like Hülkenberg highlights either an off-day or underlying problems yet to be addressed. The result adds intrigue to his ongoing adaptation to Ferrari and raises questions about the team’s competitiveness going forward.