F1 news: Lewis Hamilton eyes Monaco breakthrough as Ferrari pin hopes on new strategy shift
F1’s second stop in the second triple-header of the season is the Monaco Grand Prix.
All eyes are on Ferrari, and Lewis Hamilton specifically as they look to overcome recent struggles, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo reports.
Qualifying troubles loom over Ferrari’s Monaco aspirations
As Formula 1 gears up for one of the most iconic weekends on the calendar, all eyes are on Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.
The Scuderia enters the Principality with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over its qualifying pace, a critical factor on a circuit notorious for its lack of overtaking opportunities.
Ferrari endured a mixed weekend in Imola, with Hamilton climbing from 12th on the grid to finish fourth while Charles Leclerc secured sixth from 11th.
Despite the solid Sunday performance, both drivers failed to reach Q3, reinforcing ongoing concerns about Ferrari’s one-lap speed.
Team principal Fred Vasseur did not hold back in his assessment, stating bluntly that the team is “not fast enough” and must improve their qualifying form if they are to contend in Monaco.
“Qualifying will define everything in Monaco,” Vasseur said. “If we are still struggling on Saturday, then by Saturday night our weekend could be over.”
Leclerc, who won his home Grand Prix last season after starting on pole, echoed similar concerns.
“It will be a difficult weekend. Monaco could really expose our weaknesses,” he admitted. “There’s always hope that the car reacts well to the unique set-up here, but we need a surprise.”
Hamilton hints at bold new approach in first Monaco outing for Ferrari
For Hamilton, this marks his first Monaco race in Ferrari Red.
The seven-time world champion is still settling into life at Maranello and has pointed to fresh ideas he hopes to test this weekend in a bid to unlock more speed over a single lap.
“We’ve been struggling on Saturdays, and Monaco is all about Saturday,” Hamilton said.
“I’ve got a few ideas I’ve been sitting on, some new things I want to try. It’s been tough to find time for innovation while adjusting to the team, but now feels like the right moment to push those changes.”
Hamilton's cautious optimism follows a season-best result at Imola, where he not only finished in the top five but also beat Leclerc in a main race for the first time this season.
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New tyre rule may offer unexpected advantage
Adding intrigue to this weekend’s race is a rule change that could play directly into Hamilton’s and Ferrari’s hands.
The FIA has approved a mandate requiring the use of three different tyre compounds during the race, effectively making two pit stops compulsory.
The regulation, long championed by Hamilton, may help shake up the running order in a Grand Prix where passing on track is virtually impossible.
“I’ve been calling for this for years,” Hamilton said. “Monaco has always been a procession once the pit stops are done. This change could give us more to fight for and bring strategy back into play.”
The change is particularly promising for Ferrari, which has emerged as the benchmark for pit-stop performance in 2025.
The team leads the standings for fastest stops, topping the charts in six of seven races so far this season. Leclerc’s sub-two-second stop in Saudi Arabia remains the fastest of the year.
Ferrari’s recent operational excellence stands in stark contrast to the strategic mishaps that plagued the team in past seasons.
Under Vasseur’s leadership, the team has transformed its execution, a shift that could prove vital on a circuit where timing and pit lane precision are everything.
Pressure on Leclerc to deliver at home again
Leclerc’s win in Monaco last year was a breakthrough moment, finally converting pole into victory on home soil.
However, with the team’s qualifying woes persisting, repeating that success looks far from guaranteed.
Brake balance concerns hampered both Ferrari drivers during practice in Imola, and unless improvements are made, Saturday could once again be their undoing.
Vasseur remains realistic. “Even when we’re strong in the race, we’re not quicker than McLaren or Red Bull. We have to get ahead of them on Saturday, otherwise we’re stuck.”
High stakes, slim margins
Hamilton’s return to Monaco as a Ferrari driver brings with it high hopes and even higher stakes.
The new tyre rule could provide a rare opening for strategic moves, and Ferrari’s dominance in pit stops might be the ace up their sleeve.
Yet, without progress in qualifying, even the best-laid plans may come undone before the race begins.
With Leclerc under pressure to impress at home and Hamilton eager to make a statement in red, Ferrari face a defining weekend on the streets of Monte Carlo.
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