Lewis Hamilton's early season struggles at Ferrari are NOT a surprise, insists Formula One star who was replaced at the Scuderia by the British driver

Daily Mail​

02-05-2025

Formula One star Carlos Sainz, who was replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, is not surprised by the British driver's early season struggles.
The Spaniard has similarly failed to replicate his performances of last season with new team Williams after being forced to make way for the seven-time world champion.
It is often a common trend in the sport and has only been exacerbated in 2025, with the current generation of cars, in a cost-cap era with limited practice times, creating the perfect storm for tepid early displays.
At the Scuderia, Hamilton has found it difficult to match the performances of Charles Leclerc, who has been with the side for six seasons.
Sainz, who partnered the Monegasques star for four of those campaign, understands Hamilton's issues and likened them to his own at Williams when compared to the long-tenured Alex Albon.
'I'm not surprised at all,' he said ahead of the start of the Miami Grand Prix weekend. 'I think, for me, I expected it for myself and I expected it with him – because in this sport, there are no secrets.
'When you are up against two teammates like we are like Alex [Albon] and Charles, they know the team inside out.
'They are already performing at the maximum that that car can perform. So you can only do just a little bit better or the same as them. You cannot suddenly arrive and be two to three-tenths quicker, because it's not possible. They are already at the limit of the car.
'So, when you jump to a new team and you're expected, by yourself and by everyone around you to be at that level, you know it's gonna take time. But, for some drivers, it might take longer or shorter. Lewis had an amazing weekend in China, then he seemed to be having a bit more trouble now, but it's gonna take time for both.'
The peak of Hamilton's early career at Ferrari came at the Chinese GP last month when he claimed victory in the sprint race. However, the success was short-lived as he finished behind Leclerc in the main event.
The British veteran has been outqualified by Leclerc in four of the five qualifying sessions and beaten in all five races this term. A similar picture has appeared at Williams, where Sainz trails Albon 3-2 in qualifying and 4-1 in races.
In Miami, Hamilton will hope that a changed strip will result in a change of fortunes. The team have ditched their iconic red racing suits for just the second time this century ahead of weekend.
The Italian constructor's image is inextricable from their statement colour, which has been worn religiously by the team since the latter stages of the 20th century.
But the Prancing Horse are gearing up to debut a new look in the paddock in Florida on Friday, courtesy of their sponsors HP.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has stressed that Hamilton has the team's full backing despite a lacklustre beginning.
'I will give him support and we will start straight away to find solutions,' Vasseur said last month.
'I am not too worried. Have a look at what he did in China or what he did in Bahrain last week or even in the first part of the session this weekend. The potential is there for sure.'
Asked why Ferrari's form had dipped so far, Vasseur exclaimed: 'Dramatically!? We have done five races so far. I know that you won't have the big headlines tomorrow that Fred said this... but this (analysis) is f****** bull****.