Lewis Hamilton implied that his side of the Ferrari garage was “underperforming” compared to that of team-mate Charles Leclerc after his difficult start to his Ferrari career continued with a seventh-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who qualified eighth in Suzuka, said he now wanted to see “positive changes” from his new team at next weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix. “I’m really hoping in the next race we’ll see some positive changes,” Hamilton said. “Through the first three races there’s been a bit of a deficit between both sides of the garage on some elements of the car. On my side, underperforming. So it’s good to know.
“With what I had, that is the best result I could get.”
The seven-time world champion, 40, tried a different strategy from the rest of the top 10 in Japan, going out on hard tyres and then using the mediums for his second stint.
Hamilton managed to gain a place early on, passing Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar. But he was unable to make further inroads, finishing three places and 13 seconds behind team-mate Leclerc, and behind both Mercedes drivers.
Ferrari came into this season with many expecting them to be title challengers but, despite Hamilton’s sprint win in China, the Scuderia have struggled for race pace.
They were also hit by a double disqualification in China, for breaching regulations on skid block wear and car weight.
Hamilton said his old team, Mercedes, were definitely quicker than Ferrari in Suzuka, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli both finishing within a few seconds of Leclerc, albeit unable to get past.
“My pace, I think, was maximum today,” Hamilton added. “I didn’t have anything else in the car.
“Underperformance happening at the rear of the car this weekend and obviously qualifying position is key.
“But I think I probably would have been overtaken by Mercedes if I was any further ahead.
“I’m hoping the next race we will be closer. It will definitely be interesting, for sure.
“I just hope we’re a little bit closer but I think we are probably the fourth-fastest at the moment and we are a little bit off the other guys in terms of performance, downforce ...
