In 2025, Lewis Hamilton made some of the extremely anticipated driver transfers in Method 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 staff’s Maranello manufacturing facility and participating in his inaugural check in Ferrari purple on the Fiorano Circuit on Wednesday.
Hundreds 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 automobile management regardless of difficult ‘zero-grip’ circumstances.
The climate, nonetheless, 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 circumstances like his Maranello teammate.
Whatever the time distinction, the check served as precious preparation for each Ferrari drivers forward of the 2025 Method 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 enhance to his title aspirations may very well be on the horizon, with Martin Brundle suggesting that Ferrari could have made extra progress over the winter than McLaren. The Scuderia completed simply 14 factors behind McLaren within the Constructors’ Championship in 2024 and can be seeking to safe a greater end result this season.
Nonetheless, getting into the 2025 season, there are lingering issues about Lewis Hamilton’s capacity 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 seek out constant efficiency with the W15, notably in qualifying, the place he was eradicated earlier than Q3 six occasions. His teammate George Russell dominated their qualifying battles, successful 18-6, and outperformed Hamilton 15-9 in races.
This substantial defeat has led to doubts about Hamilton’s capacity to compete at Ferrari. F1 commentator Tom Coronel has urged 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 may very well be mutually useful. Nonetheless, he additionally warned that it may very well be ‘the top’ for Lewis Hamilton if he’s constantly 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 kind, 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 drawback. 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?
Firstly 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 conversant in the staff’s setup and tradition.
Leclerc is famend as one of many high qualifiers in Method 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 12 months.
Because of this the British driver, now 40, is concentrated on adapting to Ferrari as rapidly as doable. His objective is to be absolutely built-in into the staff so he can compete on the entrance from the very first race of the season on the Albert Park circuit in Australia.
The interior rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc can be some of the intriguing battles of 2025. Each drivers will intention to outperform each other, with the last word prize being Ferrari’s first drivers’ championship since 2007.
The stress on Lewis Hamilton is already immense, with Ferrari followers anticipating him to ship a championship win. If he can discover his rhythm and Ferrari gives him with a aggressive automobile, the veteran may make historical past by clinching the title in purple.
Jan 28, 2025
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