F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Hamilton: Ferrari car 'the most difficult I've driven' in tough conditions

Lewis Hamilton labelled his Ferrari SF-25 as "the most difficult car I've driven" in the treacherous conditions that prevailed in Sunday's British Grand Prix which the Briton finished just outside the top-three in fourth position. 

The seven-time World Champion equalled at Silverstone his best Grand Prix result, but was left disappointed by the lack of drivability of the Scuderia's machine in the changing track conditions.

Starting from fifth on the starting grid, the Briton finished one spot ahead after 52 laps of racing, helped by the fact that his historic rival Max Verstappen spun during the race and crossed the line in fifth.

However, a streak of 11 consecutive podium finishes at his home Grand Prix came to an end, as the final podium position was claimed by none other than Nico Hulkenberg. The veteran German finished in the top three for the first time after 239 races in Formula 1.

He Still Can't Get Along With His Ferrari

Understandably, Hamilton was upset to not participate in the podium celebrations in front of a fervent home crowd.

The former Mercedes driver suffered numerous off-track excursions in changeable weather conditions during the race, conceding positions and valuable race time which may have cost him a top three finish.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the Grand Prix, Hamilton described the Ferrari SF-25 as perhaps the most tricky car he has driven around the Silverstone Circuit.

He said: "Yeah, difficult day I think for everybody. Not the result that I was hoping for, but got some points still.

"It was the most difficult car I've driven here in these conditions."

Hamilton expanded on this further by stating that his issues with the car were exacerbated in the wet conditions, but still persist on a dry track as well.

He continued: "The car was unbelievably tricky to drive. I think, ultimately, I learned a lot today, there's lots to take from the day. It's only my second time driving in the wet in this car.

"I can't even express to you how hard it is. It's not a car that likes those conditions. But having lots of data to take from this, for me it's to sit down with the people that are designing the car for next year.

"Because there's elements of this car that can go into the following year," stressed Hamilton.

The Formula 1 Champion also admitted that not all of it can be attributed to the car, with some of the blame going to himself.

He concluded: "A little bit more [confident] when it was fully dry at the end. But even then you saw I went wide and then it snapped and spun at Turn 11.

"Lots of mistakes today."

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James Fiorucci

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