Hamilton "has no answers" after a "horrible and unenjoyable" Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has said there is "nothing positive" to take from a "horrible and unenjoyable" Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion could only muster a P7 finish behind the wheel of his Ferrari around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, struggling with understeer and grip throughout his first stint.

While teammate Charles Leclerc had more joy with the SF-25 to battle up to a P3 and take his first podium finish of the season, Hamilton continues to struggle at his new team, sitting seventh in the championship standings on 31 points, now seven points off Kimi Antonelli in P6, his successor at Mercedes.

Hamilton has not finished higher than P5 in a Grand Prix so far in 2025

Hamilton unsure as to how to improve

After the Grand Prix in Jeddah, Hamilton spoke to several media sources, including GPblog, in the paddock, saying there is absolutely nothing that can be taken from his weekend in the Middle East.

"Zero. Nothing positive to take from today, except for Charles finishing on the podium which was great for the team," stated the 40-year-old.

"It was horrible. It was horrible and unenjoyable. I was just sliding around, didn't have a good feeling about it. First stint, massive understeer, car not turning and then massive deg and then the second stint, slightly better balance, but still just no pace, so it was pretty bad."

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It's a pretty extreme turnaround after Hamilton's success during the sprint day at the Chinese Grand Prix, taking sprint pole and the sprint race win in a promising and impressive performance. Now, though, there seems to be no return to that form, and no answer as to why that might be.

"I don't have an answer," continued Hamilton. "I'm struggling with balance. I'm struggling to feel the car beneath me. There's no particular thing. There's nothing to say, 'Hey, this is the issue.'

Hamilton expects struggles to continue

Now, compared to Leclerc, there is a clear difference in understanding of the SF-25, with the Monegasque driver able to take that car onto the podium compared to Hamilton's P7.

When asked by GPblog if there is anything that his teammate is doing differently in the data, Hamilton said: "I mean, he's been driving this car for a long time, so he definitely knows it really well. There's plenty in the data for sure. I mean, honestly, it doesn't look massively different in the data, just that you're slower through the corners."

GPblog then asked him if Hamilton could make any changes and improvements in the week break F1 has before the Miami Grand Prix, but the Brit was pessimistic about those chances.

"I don't think it's going to make a difference. I think I'll struggle also in Miami. I don't know how much longer I'll struggle for, but it's definitely painful," the seven-time world champion concluded.