Lewis Hamilton’s Frustrating Qualifying Result in the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton ended the qualifying session for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix in a disappointing ninth place, six positions behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. Despite Ferrari’s substantial upgrade package, Hamilton failed to extract optimal performance from his SF-25, trailing McLaren‘s Oscar Piastri by a full second.

Hamilton’s Self-Critical Remarks and Track Limits Incident

In an interview with the media following his Q3 appearance, Hamilton was brief and self-critical about his performance. “It was pretty straightforward. Yeah, not much to say,” he admitted with frustration, acknowledging his own shortcomings. A deleted lap for track limits didn’t help his mental state during the crucial runs. When asked if this affected his final runs, Hamilton responded, “It didn’t help, but it wasn’t the worst-case scenario.

Leclerc qualified third, just 0.334 seconds behind Piastri’s McLaren and 0.166 seconds behind George Russell’s Mercedes. The stark contrast in performance between the two Ferrari drivers was not lost on Hamilton. “Yeah, it’s good. The car is good enough, which is good,” he said.

Ferrari’s Upgrade Package and Future Prospects

Ferrari’s upgrade package, the first of the season, consisted of a floor overhaul aimed at marginal gains. The team has been struggling against the top three teams – Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull – but is hopeful that this upgrade will widen the operating window for their scarlet cars. Hamilton expressed optimism about the upgrades after Friday practice, stating, “The upgrades are definitely working.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s race, Hamilton aims to secure a top-five finish and resolve the performance deficit he experienced during qualifying. When asked where he can improve, Hamilton seemed uncertain, admitting, “I really don’t know… I really don’t know. I don’t have a lot of answers for you guys.” His visible disappointment was acknowledged when he admitted, “It’s definitely not a good feeling, for sure.