Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes marks the top of an unimaginable 12-season partnership, throughout which he secured six world titles with the group. Because the seven-time world champion bids farewell to the German outfit, he’s set to tackle a brand new problem at Ferrari, the place he’ll group up with Charles Leclerc in 2025.
This season, Ferrari has outpaced Mercedes, contending for the Constructors’ Championship, although they narrowly missed out in Abu Dhabi. In the meantime, Mercedes has struggled for the reason that introduction of the bottom impact period in 2022, with Hamilton managing solely a single victory on the British Grand Prix earlier this yr. He additionally completed second behind teammate George Russell in Belgium, however inherited the win after George Russell‘s automobile was discovered to be underweight.
After a difficult remaining season with Mercedes, the British driver now faces a brand new take a look at with Ferrari, a transition that may require him to adapt to an Italian group after spending his total F1 profession with English-based outfits.
Guenther Steiner, the previous Haas group principal, has defined why this new problem is essential for Hamilton, significantly in his rivalry with Charles Leclerc. Based on Guenther Steiner, going through off towards the gifted Monegasque driver is precisely what Hamilton wants as he approaches the subsequent section of his profession.
Martin Brundle believes Charles Leclerc is the quickest driver on the present grid, which is able to undoubtedly push Hamilton, who has had his fair proportion of powerful teammates prior to now. Charles Leclerc’s distinctive pace in qualifying is clear, having claimed pole positions in Monaco and Azerbaijan this season. Nonetheless, he’s identified to push the boundaries, which has typically led to errors, similar to crashes in Azerbaijan and Miami. Alternatively, Hamilton has struggled to match Leclerc’s qualifying tempo this yr, failing to safe a single pole place.
The prospect of competing alongside the Monegasque driver might function a much-needed motivator for the 39-year-old Lewis Hamilton. Guenther Steiner means that as drivers age, the challenges turn out to be better, however for the seven-time F1 world champion, taking over Chares Leclerc as a teammate could possibly be the spark that revitalizes his ardour for racing: “It’s noticeable in all of us, and I’m positive there are athletes as properly, however when you get to 40, I feel it additionally turns into harder for a driver by way of response instances, however I feel the drive remains to be there.” – the previous Haas group boss acknowledged in an interview for the Champ1 YouTube channel – “The automobile must be good, and Charles Leclerc received’t be straightforward to beat in the identical automobile, so it’s a problem for him, however I feel he wants it.” – the Italian and American motorsport engineer and former group supervisor continued.
Lewis Hamilton should preserve his sturdy race tempo at Ferrari. Whereas he has struggled with qualifying efficiency currently, his misfortune, like in Abu Dhabi when he hit a bollard knocked over by Kevin Magnussen, has additionally performed an element in his setbacks.
Nonetheless, the British driver demonstrated his ability on the Yas Marina Circuit, the place he made a exceptional restoration from sixteenth to fourth on the grid. Ferrari will probably be introducing a brand new automobile idea for the upcoming season, but when Hamilton can preserve his race tempo, he’ll stay a formidable competitor.
The group could be taking some dangers with the event of subsequent yr’s automobile, and the upgraded suspension could possibly be an asset for Hamilton’s efficiency.
A robust begin with Ferrari, particularly with a victory, could be a significant optimistic for the seven-time world champion, although issues linger about his capacity to beat the inconsistency that has characterised his current kind.
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