Lewis Hamilton is targeting his first significant points haul as a Ferrari driver at the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend. Hamilton had to settle for 10th on his debut in Australia.
The seven-time world champion had qualified eighth, joining teammate Charles Leclerc on the front row as Ferrari proved to be the biggest disappointment of the weekend. But they spurned a potential podium shot in the race.
The Scuderia were brave as a late shower hit the track, initially staying out on the slick tyres. But they missed the ideal pit window and ultimately fell back into the lower reaches of the points.
Hamilton boasts a peerless record at the Chinese Grand Prix, which may breed confidence. He’s won the event six times, while no other driver has stood on the top step more than twice.
Shanghai was the site of one of his finest performances in a largely disappointing 2024. He took second in a sodden Sprint qualifying and converted it to a podium.
FIA may clamp down on Ferrari rear wing trick at Chinese Grand Prix
The FIA are furious with every F1 team after studying the footage from Melbourne. They believe there are widespread rule violations taking place.
As a result, they’ve tightened up the checks on rear-wing flexibility for the race in China. This is a development that’s been welcomed by Red Bull, who finished second at Albert Park through Max Verstappen.
According to ESPN journalist Laurence Edmondson, speaking on the Unlapped podcast, the Bulls believe this will slow down pace-setters McLaren. And there’s also a ‘suggestion’ that Ferrari are benefitting from unlawful flexibility.
Thus Hamilton could suffer another blow in China, with Ferrari potentially losing out down the 1.1km back straight. Any gaps in the rear wing will naturally reduce drag.
Edmondson said: “From what we understand and from what’s been said and the whispers in the paddock, it seems like Red Bull are very keen for this to happen, because they think it will probably slow down their main rivals McLaren.
“There’s some suggestion that Ferrari are doing it. There’s even some suggestion that Mercedes have had something on the rear wing where the rear wing flexes slightly. The proof will be in the pudding.”
Lando Norris offers Lewis Hamilton hope after what he saw in Ferrari data
Ferrari are already slower than last year in medium-speed corners, it emerged this week. They made significant gains in the high speed, but enforced changes to the rear wing could curb this progress.
Australian GP winner Lando Norris did, however, offer some hope. The consensus among rivals is that Leclerc and Hamilton weren’t able to show the car’s true pace at round one.
Norris was ‘shocked’ by Ferrari’s race pace on Friday, when they were virtually a match for McLaren. They appeared to suffer as temperatures climbed before qualifying.
It should be significantly cooler in Shanghai, which could play into their hands. But after three years of driving a peaky car at Mercedes, Hamilton will be demanding consistency.
