In 2025, Lewis Hamilton made probably the most extremely anticipated driver transfers in System 1 historical past, swapping Mercedes for Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion has begun his journey with the Scuderia, making his first official go to to the workforce’s Maranello manufacturing facility and collaborating in his inaugural check in Ferrari pink on the Fiorano Circuit on Wednesday.
1000’s of enthusiastic Ferrari supporters gathered early within the morning on the observe, desirous to witness the historic second. Hamilton didn’t disappoint, showcasing his distinctive automotive management regardless of difficult ‘zero-grip’ situations.
The climate, nevertheless, dampened Charles Leclerc’s check session, as he ran alongside Hamilton. Hamilton posted a time six seconds sooner than Leclerc, because the Monegasque driver was unable to finish his runs in dry situations like his Maranello teammate.
Whatever the time distinction, the check served as precious preparation for each Ferrari drivers forward of the 2025 System 1 season. Each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc could have their eyes set on the world championship, with the Monegasque driver particularly motivated in his pursuit of a record-breaking eighth title.
For Hamilton, a serious increase to his title aspirations could possibly be on the horizon, with Martin Brundle suggesting that Ferrari might have made extra progress over the winter than McLaren. The Scuderia completed simply 14 factors behind McLaren within the Constructors’ Championship in 2024 and shall be seeking to safe a greater end result this season.
Nonetheless, coming into the 2025 season, there are lingering issues about Lewis Hamilton’s potential to carry out at Ferrari after a disappointing closing season with Mercedes.
Regardless of moments of brilliance, Lewis Hamilton ended the 2024 season in a career-low seventh place within the Drivers’ Championship. He struggled to search out constant efficiency with the W15, significantly in qualifying, the place he was eradicated earlier than Q3 six instances. His teammate George Russell dominated their qualifying battles, profitable 18-6, and outperformed Hamilton 15-9 in races.
This substantial defeat has led to doubts about Hamilton’s potential to compete at Ferrari. F1 commentator Tom Coronel has steered that Hamilton ought to contemplate stepping away if he fails to win the title with the Scuderia.
Dutch driver Mike Hezemans, who beforehand spoke positively about Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari, nonetheless believes it could possibly be mutually useful. Nonetheless, he additionally warned that it could possibly be ‘the top’ for Lewis Hamilton if he’s persistently outperformed by Charles Leclerc. He talked about that he nonetheless held the identical opinion, stating that Lewis Hamilton had been outperformed by Russell at Mercedes. He added that staying with Mercedes wasn’t actually serving to Hamilton, however transferring to Ferrari may deliver him again to aggressive type, particularly through the races.
Nonetheless, he identified that Hamilton’s struggles with qualifying had been a difficulty. He speculated that Ferrari may enhance, which could additionally assist Hamilton in qualifying. But when Hamilton continued to be outperformed by Charles Leclerc, then he would face a major downside. In that case, he believed it may mark the top of Lewis Hamilton’s profession.
Will Lewis Hamilton be capable of outpace Charles Leclerc at Ferrari?
In the beginning of their partnership, Hamilton will discover himself at a drawback in comparison with his teammate. Leclerc has been deeply embedded inside Ferrari since becoming a member of their academy in 2016, making him extremely accustomed to the workforce’s setup and tradition.
Leclerc is famend as one of many prime qualifiers in System 1, and he’ll undoubtedly be a formidable opponent for Hamilton in 2025 and past, particularly given Hamilton’s struggles with qualifying at Mercedes within the earlier yr.
For this reason the British driver, now 40, is concentrated on adapting to Ferrari as shortly as doable. His objective is to be absolutely built-in into the workforce so he can compete on the entrance from the very first race of the season on the Albert Park circuit in Australia.
The inner rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc shall be probably the most intriguing battles of 2025. Each drivers will goal to outperform each other, with the final word prize being Ferrari’s first drivers’ championship since 2007.
The strain on Lewis Hamilton is already immense, with Ferrari followers anticipating him to ship a championship win. If he can discover his rhythm and Ferrari supplies him with a aggressive automotive, the veteran may make historical past by clinching the title in pink.
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