Hamilton left frustrated as tough start to Ferrari F1 life continues

Lewis Hamilton was in no mood for questioning after a disappointing Saudi Arabian Grand Prix where he finished seventh.

After the highs of winning the sprint race in China last month, the seven-time world champion came into the race in Jeddah saying he needed “a brain transplant” in order to understand his new Ferrari Formula 1 car.

Despite the win in Shanghai, Hamilton has largely struggled with his new team after joining from Mercedes over the winter.

And he could not hide his disappointment when questioned after the race in Jeddah, where his team-mate Charles Leclerc finished third.

Hamilton was asked if there were some positives he could take from his second stint after his tyre stop, and whether he was more comfortable, to which he said: “No. There was not one second [I was comfortable].”

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Peter Fox - Getty Images

Hamilton was pressed by Sky Sports F1 as to how hard it was to drive, and the Ferrari driver said there was no hiding behind the performance of the car.

He added: “Well, clearly the car is capable of being P3, so Charles did a great job today – so I can't blame it on the car.”

In a follow-up as to whether he had any idea why it was only him who was struggling, Hamilton simply replied: “No.”

Meanwhile, Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur admitted Hamilton could be struggling to adjust to his new team.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 immediately after the race, he said: “I didn't discuss with Lewis, but it was a bit up and down. It's not that he was always off the pace, but let me discuss with him first.

“There is no problem. It is confidence with the car and a little bit with himself in that everything is new and for sure, this weekend when you don't do a long stint on Friday, we were struggling a little bit with the balance – but let's see.”