Today’s Formula 1 headlines are dominated by growing concerns surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s future at Ferrari, juxtaposed with a surprising new venture for one of the team’s reserve drivers.
Hamilton Quit Speculation Mounts Amidst Ferrari Struggles
The unease surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari continues to build, with prominent pundit Ralf Schumacher suggesting the unthinkable: the seven-time world champion might consider quitting the Scuderia this year. Schumacher’s bold claim follows Hamilton’s own candid admissions about his struggles with the SF-25 car. Describing the handling as “horrible” and “painful” after a disappointing seventh-place finish in Saudi Arabia, Hamilton’s frustration has been palpable.
While teammate Charles Leclerc secured a podium in the same race, highlighting the car’s potential, Hamilton has stated there’s “no quick fix” to his issues, raising fears that his difficulties could persist throughout the 2025 season. This situation has led Schumacher to believe that if improvements aren’t forthcoming, Hamilton, a driver accustomed to fighting at the front, might “throw in the towel.”
Ferrari Reserve Zhou Guanyu Turns Photographer, Surprising Hamilton
Amidst the tension surrounding Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari, a lighter note emerged from the team’s garage. Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari’s F1 test and reserve driver, took on an unexpected new role during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend: team photographer and videographer.
Having lost his full-time seat after racing for Sauber under its various guises, Zhou has returned to Ferrari, where he was previously part of their academy. In a series of playful social media posts by Ferrari and Zhou himself, the Chinese driver was seen capturing candid moments of Hamilton and Leclerc in the garage. The videos show both drivers visibly surprised as they realized their teammate was behind the camera lens. This lighthearted interaction offered a brief respite from the competitive pressures of the race weekend and provided a moment of camaraderie within the team.
Other F1 News:
* Adrian Newey’s Aston Martin Role: Details are emerging about Adrian Newey’s transition to Aston Martin, with team principal Andy Cowell offering insights into the legendary designer’s working style.
* Verstappen’s Penalty Reaction: Reigning champion Max Verstappen has hit out at what he perceives as a “super sensitive” culture following a controversial penalty he received in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
* Female F1 Documentary: Netflix has announced a new “Drive to Survive”-style documentary focusing on female drivers in motorsport.
* Red Bull’s Development Timeline: Red Bull director Helmut Marko has indicated a timeline for when the team expects to close the performance gap to McLaren.
* Hamilton’s Business Closure: Reports indicate that Lewis Hamilton’s restaurant chain, Neat Burger, has closed several of its locations after incurring significant financial losses.
The Formula 1 world remains focused on whether Ferrari can address Lewis Hamilton’s concerns and if the partnership can live up to its pre-season hype. Meanwhile, the unexpected photographic endeavors of Zhou Guanyu provided a brief moment of levity in an otherwise intense start to the 2025 season for the iconicItalian team.
