Hamilton says Ferrari will treat next five races as ‘test runs’ ahead of Mexico City GP

Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Mercedes, hinted that Ferrari’s outlook for the remainder of the 2024 season is more experimental than competitive. In an interview with Formula1.com ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, the seven‑time world champion said the Italian team sees the next five races as "like test races".

What Hamilton said

Hamilton explained that Ferrari’s focus will be on gathering data, refining their car’s aerodynamic package and tyre management rather than chasing outright podiums. "The next five races are like test races for them," he said, adding that this approach will help the Scuderia identify strengths and weaknesses before the season’s final push.

Why it matters

Ferrari have struggled to find consistent pace this year, often trailing the Red Bull and Mercedes duos. By treating the upcoming events – Mexico, United States, Brazil, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi – as a development window, the team hopes to close the performance gap before the championship‑deciding races. Hamilton’s comments also underline the strategic divergence between the leading teams: while Red Bull appear to be consolidating their dominance, Mercedes and Ferrari are still fine‑tuning their packages.

Implications for the Mexican Grand Prix

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with its high‑altitude conditions and demanding braking zones, offers a perfect laboratory for aerodynamic testing. Hamilton believes Ferrari will use the weekend to experiment with new rear‑wing configurations and tyre pressure settings, potentially sacrificing outright speed for valuable data. For Indian fans, the race will start at 02:00 IST on Saturday, 29 October, and will be streamed live on FanCode with a free trial for new users. The qualifying session follows at 02:45 IST, and the race itself kicks off at 03:00 IST.

Hamilton’s remarks also give a glimpse into the broader narrative of the 2024 season: a battle not just for points, but for technical evolution. If Ferrari can translate the data gathered in Mexico into performance gains, they could re‑emerge as a podium threat in the final stretch.

Source: Formula1.com