Hamilton optimistic after 'figuring out' Ferrari driving style

Lewis Hamilton believes he has "figured out" how to drive his Ferrari SF-25, after finishing the Bahrain Grand Prix in fifth position.

The seven-time World Champion's results at the Italian team since the beginning of the season have been a mixed bag.

The Briton has yet to appear on the podium in a main race, and was disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix for excessive wear on his SF-25's underfloor plank assembly.

The Briton did manage to win the Sprint race in Shanghai, however, demonstrating that he has the pace to win races if he can get to grips with the machinery beneath him.

Hamilton has so far struggled to understand the driving style of his Ferrari car, stating that he is far from comfortable pushing the limits of the SF-25 on previous weekends.

Adjusting To A Different Driving Style

Hamilton saw the chequered flag in P5 after 57 laps of the Bahrain International Circuit - a result that earned him a Driver of the Day award from the fans - while teammate Charles Leclerc crossed the line just ahead in fourth.

This was the 40-year-old's best result of the season so far.

Despite this, he admits that there is still much to learn about himself and his car going forward.

He said: "I think what's clear is, us as humans, we get really stuck in our ways and I think I've been driving a certain style in a certain way with the same team for such a long time.

"I've moved to a new car and it requires such different driving style and settings. I'm using engine braking, which we never ever used in the previous year. Much different brakes if you're on Brembo's, and I've been on CI's for the last 15 years or so.

"And this car just requires a lot, a much, much different driving style and so I'm adjusting to that and I think I am slowly getting it into my head," stated Hamilton.

• Read Also: Leclerc: Ferrari SF-25 still ‘in need of more downforce, grip’

The Ferrari driver continued by claiming that he thinks he has gotten the hang of his car, and believes he will be even stronger at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Hamilton added: "I've got to do a better job through the weekend. I know I can and I will.

"I've got to just make it easier for myself. Just doing it all the hard way at the moment. I'll try next week to start in a better place and not deviate from that too much.

"As I said, I think I've figured out how the car likes to drive so hopefully if I can apply that next week, if I can qualify better, I can have a much better weekend. So we'll see," Hamilton concluded.

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