Lewis Hamilton issues Ferrari two clear demands after experiencing one baffling problem in the British Grand Prix

Follow us on Google Discover

Lewis Hamilton saw his run of reaching every podium at Silverstone since 2014 reach its end in the 2025 British Grand Prix as the Ferrari driver came home in fourth place.

The 40-year-old last failed to finish on the rostrum at his home race in 2013 when Hamilton also came fourth in his first British GP appearance as a Mercedes driver. He then enjoyed 11 British GP podiums, featuring eight wins, along with his P2 in the 2020 70th Anniversary GP.

But Hamilton could not continue his run of rostrums on home soil in 2025 as the Ferrari ace failed to catch Sauber star Nico Hulkenberg for third place. Despite threatening to catch the German, Hamilton saw Hulkenberg secure his first podium in 239 Grands Prix at Silverstone.

Hamilton faced a 1.932-second deficit to Hulkenberg after he overtook Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll for P4 on Lap 35 of 52 at Silverstone last Sunday. Yet his brief off at Village after pitting for soft, dry tyres on Lap 41 let Hulkenberg build his lead and ultimately finish 5.070s ahead.

Lewis Hamilton begs Ferrari for a ‘consistent balance’ after his baffling British Grand Prix

Fourth place still matched Hamilton’s best result as a Ferrari driver since he joined the pride of Italy in the 2025 F1 season. But the Stevenage-born star left Silverstone rueing how badly his SF-25 handled during the British GP, with Hamilton baffled by how difficult their car was.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Hamilton claimed, via quotes by Motorsport.com: “It’s the most difficult car I’ve driven here in years. I had a lot of trouble keeping up. The tyres were wearing out a lot.

“The car was incredibly difficult to drive. In the end, I learned a lot today. It’s only my second time in the rain with this car. I can’t even explain how difficult it is.”

Given the baffling problems that Hamilton endured trying to wrestle his SF-25 around a wet-dry-wet-dry Silverstone on Sunday, the seven-time F1 champion is now desperate for Ferrari to work on improving the balance of his car in race conditions as they were quick in practice.

Hamilton added: “Probably a consistent balance. A car that turns in well at low speeds. A more stable car. But I thought we were in a good position this weekend.

“In practice, we are always in a good position. But we still can’t get everything out of it in qualifying and, in the race, it becomes a bit more difficult.”

Lewis Hamilton has 15 career Silverstone podiums and nine British GP wins

Hamilton excited his passionate home crowd on Friday when the 40-year-old kicked off the 2025 British GP weekend by posting the fastest lap during the opening practice session. He was also the third-fastest driver in FP2, with teammate Charles Leclerc even sitting second.

Leclerc led the way in FP3, as well, but Ferrari’s hopes fell away when it mattered come Q3 to leave Hamilton feeling disappointed with P5 on the grid. He was 0.203s behind the best lap time that saw Red Bull rival Max Verstappen get pole position for the British GP last Saturday.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Hamilton was sitting second to Oscar Piastri of McLaren after the first Q3 runs. Yet he failed to see his potential through after losing lots of time trying to carry too much speed into the Vale chicane and Hamilton paid the price through Club for the crucial run to the finish line.

Still, Leclerc felt Hamilton was Ferrari’s only positive with his P4 in the British GP as the 27-year-old came home in P14 from P6 on the grid. Leclerc faced his own woes as one of the drivers who pitted before the race to take slick tyres while the track still demanded inters.

Hamilton questioned Ferrari’s strategy in the British GP, as well, as his pursuit of a 16th F1 career podium at Silverstone and record-extending ninth home win came short in the rain. Ferrari first pitted Hamilton from P4 on L11 for a new set of intermediates yet he fell to P7.