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F1 Today | FIA change 'mini-DRS' rule, and Hamilton's debut a 'disappointment'
Only one race of the 2025 season has been completed, but the FIA have already made the decision to alter the rules surrounding the 'mini-DRS', coming into effect after the Chinese Grand Prix. Along with that, Lewis Hamilton has come under a little bit of criticism after only finishing in P10 in his Ferrari debut at the Australian Grand Prix.
FIA make changes in the 'mini-DRS' rules
The use of 'mini-DRS' has been an interesting topic of discussion in the world of F1, with teams like Mercedes and McLaren designing their rear wings to tilt backwards at high speeds, allowing them to find a bit more pace on the straights.
It was implemented by McLaren last season, but the FIA looked to clamp down on this by adding stricter regulations which would come into effect at the Spanish Grand Prix onwards. However, the German and British teams looked to have got around those strict rules, which was also hinted at by Red Bull Racing's technical director Pierre Waché.
As a result, the FIA released a statement, saying, "The FIA has concluded that sufficient grounds exist for a tougher test to be introduced from the forthcoming Chinese Grand Prix on the upper rear wing."
Hamilton debut a "disappointment"
For Lewis Hamilton, his first race in the scarlet red of Ferrari was not what he would have been hoping for. The pace of the Scuderia could not match the McLaren's or the Mercedes' and after a gamble on the dry tyres did not pay off, he and teammate Charles Leclerc dropped back down the order, with the seven-time world champion finishing in P10.
"Lewis Hamilton had a disappointing start to his Ferrari career by any metric," said Martine Brundle when writing about the 40-year-old's first race for the Italian team. There were also some tense words exchanged between himself and new race engineer Ricciardo Adami, with the Brit snapping back a couple of times when the Italian was giving him information.
"I don't understand why Lewis was so angsty with his engineer Riccardo Adami, who I felt was simply trying to pass over relevant and helpful information," continued the former F1 driver. Another F1 driver, Karun Chandhok, also had something to say on the matter between driver and race engineer.
"He and his engineer Riccardo Adami need to have a bit more time to understand just how much communication Lewis wants and what type of information," said the Indian, believing that they "need to have a conversation."
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