The 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone delivered a dose of unexpected drama and, for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, a distinctly unwelcome outcome. Finishing fourth, Hamilton saw his remarkable streak of twelve consecutive podium finishes at his home race snapped. His post-race comments left little doubt as to the perceived culprits: the challenging behaviour of his car and the strategic decisions made by his team.
While the race itself was a dynamic affair, punctuated by rain showers and safety car periods that shuffled the order, Hamilton`s performance was marred by inconsistency and frustration. His struggles were particularly evident when attempting to navigate the iconic Silverstone corners, a task he described as exceptionally difficult.
A “Snappy” and Unstable Car
Hamilton did not mince words when detailing the handling characteristics of his machine. “The car was really, really hard to drive,” he stated emphatically. The core issue, according to the driver, was a fundamental lack of stability. “It just has no stability,” he explained. “So you go to corner, and it`s snapping, snapping, snapping… it just won`t stay still and that makes it so difficult.” This unpredictable nature translated into a lack of confidence, a critical component for any driver pushing the limits on a high-speed circuit like Silverstone.
Compounding the high-speed instability were difficulties in slower sections. Hamilton noted the car`s reluctance to turn in low-speed corners, creating a “frustrating balance” that hindered his ability to build momentum and attack. He likened the process of trying to gain confidence in the car to “building a wall and then knocking it down,” leaving him feeling “in no man`s land” for much of the race.
Strategy Calls Under Scrutiny
Beyond the car`s inherent handling traits, Hamilton also highlighted strategic missteps as contributing factors to his eventual fourth-place finish. He pointed specifically to the timing of his first pit stop when rain began, which saw him drop from fourth place down to eighth. This loss of track position meant spending valuable laps stuck in traffic behind slower cars, losing crucial time to those ahead.
Later in the race, anticipating a potential undercut on rivals, the team called Hamilton in for slick tyres arguably too early. Emerging onto a still-damp track, he struggled significantly in the initial corners, losing precious seconds that ultimately prevented him from challenging Nico Hulkenberg for the final podium spot. Hulkenberg, who remarkably secured his first-ever podium despite starting nineteenth, managed his strategy more effectively in the tricky conditions.
The team`s perspective, as revealed by team principal Frederic Vasseur, shed light on the chaotic decision-making process. A failure in the GPS system meant the strategists were, at times, operating “blind,” unaware of precisely where Hamilton was on the circuit relative to his competitors. While this technical glitch explains some of the confusion, it does little to mitigate the frustration of a driver who felt his race prospects were significantly hampered by these calls.
Looking Ahead: Learning from Disappointment
Despite the disappointing outcome, Hamilton expressed a determination to learn from the weekend. He acknowledged positive moments, such as strong pace in dry practice sessions, but emphasized the value of the race difficulties in understanding the car`s limitations. He sees the experience as crucial for providing clear feedback to the engineering team, particularly regarding the development of the 2026 car.
“I feel like I know how to explain to the team what I don`t want built in next year`s car,” he remarked. The focus is now firmly on translating the lessons learned from this challenging British Grand Prix into improvements for the future, aiming to avoid the “difficult to drive” characteristics that plagued him at Silverstone.
