For Lewis Hamilton, Friday at Imola was a combined day. After feeling within the first observe session, with only a few modifications made to the automobile, he suffered from brake points in FP2—issues which were current because the begin of the season. Lewis referred to as them a “lottery,” as they seem inconsistently.
It was a day of two halves for Lewis Hamilton who, after constructive sensations in FP1 with the SF-25, struggled later within the afternoon to seek out the appropriate steadiness, affected by a scarcity of feeling with the brakes—an issue he has truly complained about a number of instances this season.
In actual fact, Charles Leclerc additionally reported some points with brake efficiency in the course of the second free observe session, however his appeared extra associated to the system’s habits underneath particular situations—outlined as “warming” maps—quite than a basic limitation.
Lewis Hamilton is a type of drivers who calls for excessive sensitivity throughout braking, and when that obligatory confidence is missing, it turns into tougher to hold pace into and thru corners, particularly when making an attempt to trail-brake into the flip.
And that’s exactly the problem the Brit targeted on on the finish of the primary day at Imola, as a result of between FP1 and FP2, he truly didn’t make any main modifications to the automobile, as he was happy with the steadiness discovered within the first observe. Within the late afternoon, Lewis didn’t transcend eleventh place, about two tenths behind his teammate.
“FP1 went nicely, I used to be very pleased with the automobile. I believe we managed to make a step ahead, the sensation was very constructive. I made only a few modifications, ones that shouldn’t have made a lot distinction—the smallest modifications I’ve made this 12 months, in all probability—however I had brake issues that made a complete distinction,” Hamilton mentioned throughout interviews.
“I struggled with the brakes and it’s been an issue all 12 months, I’ve by no means had this earlier than. It’s one thing new for me,” the Brit added, stating that he had by no means skilled this type of inconsistency earlier than.
With the transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari, the brake provider additionally modified—from Carbon Industrie to a whole Brembo system. Nonetheless, Hamilton clarified that it’s not an issue associated to the transition between suppliers, however quite to efficiency, which is commonly inconsistent. It’s a problem that different groups have additionally skilled, like Pink Bull and Haas, however greater than the brake system itself, it appears linked to different parts.
“It’s not the transition [from one company to another], it’s a matter of efficiency,” mentioned Hamilton, including that it’s not an issue that may be solved in a single day, though he hopes to discover a answer that restores his confidence for tomorrow.
“It’s a lottery, we roll the cube: you set one on and it really works, you set one other on and it doesn’t. I hope tomorrow we will discover a answer, we’re positively engaged on it.”
Might 16, 2025
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