Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is unaccustomed to setting modest goals. However, he might have to, as he adapts to his debut season with Ferrari.
With 105 Formula 1 victories to his name — the most in the sport’s history — it's unclear when win No. 106 will come. He's taken just two wins over the past three seasons and has yet to secure a victory in the 2025 campaign heading into Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton waves to fans driving Ferrari F1
“There was obviously a huge amount of hype at the beginning of the year,” Hamilton said before the race. “I don’t know if everyone was expecting us to be winning from race one and taking the championship in our first season.
“That wasn’t my expectation,” he clarified. “I’m joining a new culture, a new team, and I understand that will take time.”
Hamilton was among the faster drivers during Saturday’s third practice session ahead of qualifying. McLaren’s Lando Norris led with a lap time of 1 minute, 27.965 seconds, followed closely by teammate Oscar Piastri, who was only 0.026 seconds behind. Hamilton placed sixth, 0.559 seconds off Norris’s pace.
Max Verstappen secured pole position for Red Bull on Saturday with a record-setting lap in the final moments.
Hamilton qualified eighth — a result in line with current expectations as the leading four teams, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari, remain closely matched.
Norris and Piastri have each claimed a win in the season’s first two races, held in Australia and China, with McLaren looking strong for another top performance in Japan.
Lewis Hamilton bids emotional farewell to Mercedes, joins Ferrari
Hamilton's season so far has attracted attention. He finished 10th in the Australian opener, won the sprint race in China, but was later disqualified from the main race along with teammate Charles Leclerc due to technical violations.
This incident was a significant setback for Ferrari, often regarded as the most well-funded team in F1.
“I read someone asking if I was losing faith in the team — that’s absolute nonsense,” Hamilton responded. “I have total, unwavering belief in this team.”
Hamilton has five wins in Japan to his name, though none since 2018. Like many drivers, he has a deep appreciation for the Suzuka circuit.
“This track is amazing,” he said. “Every time you drive it, it blows you away.
“We’ve got some pace to find. We’re not the fastest right now. But the foundation is solid.”