The paddock at Ferrari has been buzzing with intrigue after a series of unexpected performances and shocking revelations, particularly during the Italian Grand Prix weekend. The questions echoing through the Ferrari garage are not your typical pre-race musings.

Rather, they are centered around one of the sport’s most decorated champions, Lewis Hamilton, and his unexpected prowess with the SF25—a car that had been struggling to find its pace all season. The question is simple yet profound: How did Hamilton immediately unlock pace in a car that even Ferrari’s own drivers couldn’t tame all year?

Hamilton’s performance in Monza has become a focal point, with his speed, consistency, and ability to turn the SF25 into a formidable machine on race day leaving engineers and rivals alike scratching their heads. For Ferrari, this was not just a reminder of what could have been; it was a revelation that could shape their championship fight for the rest of the season.

A Different Car: Hamilton’s Immediate Connection with the SF25

From the very first lap of Free Practice 1 at Monza, something extraordinary happened. Lewis Hamilton, driving the SF25 for the first time in a competitive setting, looked as if he had been racing this car for years. Ferrari engineers were stunned by how immediately comfortable Hamilton appeared with the car.

The numbers tell the story—fastest overall in FP1, and by a considerable margin. It wasn’t a case of Hamilton merely getting comfortable; he was demonstrating a mastery of the SF25 that Ferrari’s regular drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, hadn’t been able to unlock all season. But what was most impressive was the way Hamilton tackled Ferrari’s known weak spot: mid-corner speed, especially through the Variante della Roggia, a section of the track where the SF25 had struggled for balance and stability all year.

One senior Ferrari engineer was overheard saying, “It feels like we’re watching a different car.” And indeed, the telemetry confirmed this. Hamilton wasn’t just faster by a few tenths; he was comfortably outpacing the regular Ferrari drivers, showing more mid-corner speed than anyone else had managed all season. This level of control and stability through a section where Ferrari had previously faltered was nothing short of miraculous.

The Moment of Truth: Hamilton’s Flawless Performance in FP1

When Hamilton bolted on a set of soft tires towards the end of FP1, his lap times didn’t just improve—they were flawless. Unlike most drivers who need several laps to build up to their fastest pace, Hamilton’s first sector was already competitive, but it was in the second sector where he truly shone. Both Lesmo corners, typically tricky for the SF25, were taken with perfect precision, showcasing a level of control that Ferrari had failed to achieve all season. The lap was completed with a flat-out Parabolica, and by the time Hamilton crossed the line, he had set the fastest lap of the session.

Ferrari’s rivals were watching in disbelief. Hamilton’s performance was not just a one-off but a signal that he had truly unlocked something in the SF25 that was previously untapped. But this was just the beginning. In FP2, Hamilton’s pace wasn’t limited to one spectacular lap—it was consistent and maintained throughout the session.

The Long Run Advantage: A Race-Specific Approach

FP2 is traditionally where teams and drivers get a real sense of their race pace. With higher track temperatures and heavier fuel loads, it becomes the test of true race performance. While Max Verstappen and Lando Norris focused on short qualifying runs, Hamilton took a different approach. He requested a full race simulation, with the SF25 loaded heavy with fuel to see how the car would perform over longer runs.

The results were staggering. Hamilton’s average pace over a 10-lap stint was incredibly consistent. His lap times barely dropped off from lap to lap, maintaining an astonishing level of consistency. This was the exact opposite of Ferrari’s season-long struggle with tire degradation and unpredictable balance changes during long runs. Hamilton’s performance on the medium tires showed zero hesitation, with each lap reflecting the same level of stability and precision.

This newfound consistency in Hamilton’s driving was complemented by Ferrari’s ultra-low drag rear wing, which gave the SF25 blistering straight-line speed. Hamilton was regularly clocked at over 348 km/h down Monza’s main straight, consistently faster than Verstappen’s Red Bull and on par with McLaren’s top speeds. But unlike his competitors, Hamilton wasn’t sacrificing cornering stability for that extra top speed. His corner exits, particularly through the challenging Lesmo corners, were flawless—consistently maintaining 246 km/h lap after lap.

A Ferrari In Crisis: The Shift in Dynamics

As Hamilton’s lap times continued to impress, the dynamic within Ferrari’s garage began to shift. Charles Leclerc, who had been struggling to unlock the same level of performance in the SF25, was left to admit something few would have expected: Hamilton had found something in the second and third sectors that he couldn’t match. To hear Leclerc, a Ferrari driver on home turf, concede that Hamilton was driving the SF25 better than he could, spoke volumes about the impact Hamilton was having on the team.

For Leclerc to admit that at Monza—Ferrari’s home circuit—was a rare and significant acknowledgment. But Hamilton’s mastery of the SF25 was not just about a few fast laps; it was about consistency and race preparation. While Leclerc and Sainz may have been quick in one-lap pace, Hamilton’s steady race runs looked more promising for the weekend ahead.

Turning the Page: Ferrari’s Strategy Shift

Behind the scenes, the mood within Ferrari had completely changed. Engineers, who had spent most of the season grappling with balance issues and setup problems, were now focused on how to maximize the newfound performance Hamilton had unlocked. The language of the team shifted from trying to manage damage limitation to discussing potential race strategies and how to use Hamilton’s newfound consistency to control the race.

Ferrari’s engineers had spent months masking the flaws of the SF25, but now they were discussing tire strategies and how to use Hamilton’s tire management to their advantage. The atmosphere in the Ferrari garage was no longer one of desperation but one of cautious optimism.

Hamilton’s Five-Place Grid Penalty: A Blessing in Disguise?

Perhaps the most telling aspect of Hamilton’s performance was his approach to his five-place grid penalty. While most drivers would have seen a penalty as a serious disadvantage, Hamilton seemed to view it as an opportunity. He wasn’t focused on qualifying for pole position; instead, his eyes were set on the race. His long-run pace indicated that, even with a grid penalty, he could strategically carve his way through the field, using precision rather than desperation.

Hamilton’s confidence seemed unshaken by the penalty. His focus on race strategy, tire management, and long-run consistency painted a picture of a man ready to seize any opportunity that came his way—whether it be a pole position or a calculated move through the field. His calm demeanor in the garage and on the radio contrasted sharply with the frustration that had plagued much of his season.

Monza: A Glimpse of Ferrari’s Future

As qualifying drew closer and the weekend unfolded, the Ferrari camp had undergone a dramatic transformation. No longer were they merely hoping for a top-five finish or praying that their competitors would falter. With Hamilton’s newfound pace and consistent race performance, Ferrari were now positioned to challenge for the win at their home Grand Prix, grid penalty notwithstanding.

Hamilton’s performance at Monza signaled a pivotal moment in Ferrari’s season. His ability to unlock the SF25’s potential, particularly at power circuits like Monza, could be the key to reviving Ferrari’s championship aspirations. Hamilton had not only given Ferrari hope for a strong finish at Monza, but he had given them the belief that their title challenge was still alive.

The question now is whether Hamilton can deliver on the promise shown in Friday’s practice sessions. With his ability to maintain a steady pace over long runs and preserve tire life, Sunday’s race could mark the beginning of Ferrari’s most serious title challenge in years.

The challenge now is not whether Ferrari can compete, but whether Hamilton can convert his impressive Friday performance into a race win and carry Ferrari’s hopes forward into the remainder of the season. If Monza is any indication, Hamilton’s revival of the SF25 may just be the turning point Ferrari has been waiting for.