Karun Chandhok highlights 'encouraging sign' for Lewis Hamilton ahead of 2025 season

Former India Formula One driver Karun Chandhok believes Lewis Hamilton has what it takes to dominate the season this time. Chandhok, who competed in 11 Grand Prix from 2010 to 2011, said the seven-time world champion, who set the pace in the morning session on day two in Bahrain with a timing of 1m 29.379s, deserves recognition from everyone. He also noted that Hamilton's effort in pre-season testing is an encouraging sign for his team, Ferrari.

Hamilton clocked 1m29.379s, putting him 0.4s ahead of former teammate George Russell. Watching his performance, there were cheers and applause all around the Ferrari team as their star driver stepped out of the car. A smiling Hamilton emerged, waving towards his team, and it seemed like the seven-time champion felt more at ease in the SF-25.
Chandhok, seated in the commentary box, closely monitored Hamilton's movements, particularly when he skillfully maneuvered the car at corner entry.

Speaking during F1’s testing coverage, Chandhok said: “Today it certainly looked like, it felt like, Hamilton had a car underneath him which he could turn and manipulate on corner entry [in a way] that Hamilton wants and I think that’s an encouraging sign for him, and for his legion of fans out there who really want him to succeed at Ferrari.”
Testing is still ongoing for Ferrari, but the most promising aspect is that their top driver looked happy and comfortable in the new SF-25, which is set to hit the track for the 2025 season.
In fact, F1 tech expert Sam Collins also highlighted how Hamilton has taken his lap times to the next level compared to last year. “Lewis Hamilton has improved on his laps [from] last year. George Russell’s lap times are about blow for blow with his best laps in testing last year, he hasn’t really improved,” Collins explained during day two of testing.
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“However, Hamilton has made a notable step in the Ferrari - which signifies him being more comfortable in the Ferrari and its handling than he was in last year’s Mercedes. Still more testing to come,” he added. Hamilton's move to Ferrari was officially announced in February 2024 and it turned out to be one of the biggest driver transfers in Formula 1 history.