Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, has stunned the Formula 1 paddock with unexpected confidence heading into the Singapore Grand Prix. Despite finishing only 10th in Free Practice 2, the Ferrari driver insists he has found something special in the SF-25 and believes he can challenge the front-runners.
Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Sitting sixth in the championship, well behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, the British legend has endured struggles with qualifying pace and car balance. Yet, the streets of Singapore might finally be the place where Hamilton sparks a turnaround.
“It’s generally been a good day. I’ve enjoyed driving the car,” Hamilton said after the session. “It’s the first time driving a Ferrari here, and it was something I always wondered about when watching onboards. Now I finally felt it myself, and it was positive. There’s lots of learnings and plenty of progress session to session.”
Hamilton admitted McLaren looked extremely fast, but the Brit is convinced Ferrari has more pace hidden beneath the surface. “Getting a clean lap here isn’t easy, but I think we made steps forward today. Overnight we probably won’t change much, but we’ll refine the setup and try to get as close as possible to the McLarens,” he added.
The optimism is a stark contrast to his usual cautious tone. All season long, Hamilton has downplayed Ferrari’s chances, pointing to weaknesses in qualifying and struggles to extract performance in traffic. But in Singapore, his confidence feels renewed, raising hopes of a breakthrough podium that has so far eluded him in red.
Fans have reacted strongly online, with many believing this could finally be the weekend Hamilton puts Ferrari back on the podium. “This is the Hamilton we’ve been waiting for—hungry, confident, and ready to fight,” wrote one supporter on social media. Others, however, remain skeptical, noting that Ferrari’s long-run pace has often disappointed compared to its single-lap flashes.
Experts are also weighing in. Former driver and analyst Jenson Button commented, “Lewis knows how to read a car better than anyone. If he says there’s more to come, you can’t rule him out, especially on a track where experience counts.”
Singapore has always been a tricky venue, demanding precision and stamina under the floodlights. Hamilton has a history of brilliance here, with iconic wins during his Mercedes era. Now, in Ferrari colors, he hopes to deliver another memorable performance.
The tension builds ahead of qualifying, where Hamilton’s ability to overcome Ferrari’s season-long struggles will be tested. A front-row start could ignite a dramatic Sunday showdown against McLaren and Red Bull, while another slip in qualifying might leave him fighting from the midfield again.
One thing is certain: the Formula 1 world will be watching closely. Hamilton’s words have set the stage for a thrilling weekend—will this be the moment he finally roars back into contention with Ferrari?
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