Martin Brundle weighs in on Lewis Hamilton’s struggles following a tough Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Martin Brundle is sceptical that Lewis Hamilton’s struggles in the 2025 F1 season are solely due to his lack of understanding of the car, admitting he “doesn’t buy” that reason.
Hamilton endured another tricky race at the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, finishing seventh.
The seven-time world champion struggled for pace at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, finishing over 30 seconds behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured Ferrari’s first podium of 2025.
Hamilton has struggled to get close to Leclerc throughout the season, with his sprint race performance in Shanghai the only highlight of his Ferrari stint so far.
Reflecting on Hamilton’s underwhelming display in Saudi Arabia, Brundle admitted he doesn’t think Hamilton’s struggles are solely down to not understanding this year’s Ferrari.
“Fred [Vasseur] summed it up, he said it’s been up and down, because there was a time when we talked about in commentary where he was in the mid 1m32s which was bang on the pace,” Brundle said during Sky Sports’ post-race coverage.
“He ended up 31 seconds behind Charles Leclerc, his teammate. Obviously had a little bit more traffic because he was further down the grid so you can take some off for that but it was up and down. I struggle to buy into he doesn’t understand the car. It’s a new car, but here we are knocking on the door of May, and they’ve had all the pre-season stuff and all that.
“So I just think Lewis hasn’t gelled with this car and I don’t think he’s going the right way on the setup.
“I know from the things I’ve heard from Mercedes about how Lewis likes the car in a certain way. Obviously can’t get the car there, where he needs it, so it’s difficult days. But what’s a bit odd is, all of a sudden, he was right there.”
‘Something not working’ for Hamilton in 2025
Several other drivers who have made moves over the winter have struggled to get up to speed initially.
Carlos Sainz spent the first few rounds well behind Alex Albon.
However, since Bahrain, Sainz has led Williams’ charge as he’s adapted to the FW47.
Brundle used the example of Oliver Bearman, who starred for Ferrari in his stand-in race for the team last year as he deputised for Sainz at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“Bearman, it took him a day last year here, but then he wasn’t relearning a car. He was just getting in and learning a car,” Brundle added.
“But Antonelli, he’s got used to working with Bono quite quickly in working with that car. He did a lot of testing last year.
“I’m struggling to buy into that, honestly, but we know Lewis is better, Lewis is faster than that. So something’s not working. Something’s not gelling there.”
News
Trisha Yearwood opens up about her biggest frustration about her engagement to Garth Brooks
Trisha Yearwood Reveals Her Biggest Pet Peeve After Engagement To Garth Brooks Trisha Yearwood is revealing her biggest pet peeve…
THAT’S SO GREAT!!! Toby Keith’s Newborn Granddaughter Looks Unbelievably Like Him
Toby Keith’s Baby Granddaughter Looks Like Him and the Resemblance Is Impossible to Miss That face. Those cheeks. That look…
Elon Musk announces plans to build $760 million tunnel underground in Texas
Elon Musk Plans $760 Million Tunnels Under Texas: Reports Elon Musk is pushing forward with a $760 million plan to build…
Awesome!!! Tiger’s son Charlie Woods scores his second hole-in-one in nine months
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, hits second hole-in-one in last nine months Charlie Woods hit his second hole-in-one in the…
Lainey Wilson Starts Thinking About Kids With Fiancé Delvin “Duck” Hodges
Lainey Wilson Reveals How She Plans To Raise Her and Fiancé’s Future Kids Lainey Wilson revealed how she plans to…
Is it risky for Post Malone to venture into new territory by launching his eponymous clothing brand, Austin Post?
Post Malone pulls off a wild runway stunt as he brings a HORSE to his debut fashion show in Paris…
End of content
No more pages to load