Hamilton will have three races to adapt to his new car
The Briton will start the 2025 season with a new team. While the Italian car looks competitive, the seven-time world champion will need to get into the rhythm quickly if he is to have any chance of an eighth world title.
Hamilton already under pressure? Although the 2025 season has not yet started, several statements have shaken the world of Formula 1, starting with that of Martin Brundle. The former driver, now a commentator for Sky Sports F1, stated that the seven-time British world champion will have only three races to adapt to his new car and match the pace of his teammate Charles Leclerc.
Possible team orders at Ferrari
If this is not the case, a report from Italy claims that Ferrari is already ready to impose team orders if one of the two drivers takes the lead over the other. Frédéric Vasseur, the head of the Italian team, had insisted on this point shortly after his appointment as team principal in December 2022. The goal is clear: to maximize their chances of winning a title that has eluded Ferrari since 2008. These statements add even more concern for Lewis Hamilton who, despite his vast experience, is aware that he will still need to raise his level if he wants to achieve his ultimate goal: winning an eighth title with Ferrari.
The Briton had indeed acknowledged not being fast enough in 2024, especially in qualifying (19-5 in George Russell’s favor). In 2025, he must not repeat these performances. Interviewed by Sky Sports News, Martin Brundle stated that the new Ferrari driver must undoubtedly meet the Italian team’s requirements by the third Grand Prix, which will take place in Japan on April 6.
An adaptation that must be very quick
« He has to do it. He has to use his experience. At this level, there are no excuses for anyone, even for rookies, who are given at most half a season to get up to speed. They will expect someone like Lewis to have already taken control of his surroundings and his car in two or three races, to be honest », explained the former Tyrell driver before concluding with « Never underestimate Lewis Hamilton », a way to respond to some criticisms regarding the Briton’s arrival in the Maranello team and to already put pressure on the rivals of the former Mercedes driver.
Despite these criticisms, Hamilton was warmly welcomed by the team and fans during his first visit to Maranello, with hundreds of people present to witness his arrival. Despite an accident this week in Barcelona while driving his new single-seater, the former McLaren driver enjoys the full confidence of his team. For his first season, he will earn 57 million dollars, making him the highest-paid driver on the grid. According to Martin Brundle, the Briton is well worth this sum considering what he will bring to the structure.
« Without a doubt, » he explained when asked if Hamilton was already an added value for Ferrari. « Two of the biggest names in F1 history over 75 years – some might say THE biggest names, Ferrari and Hamilton – are teaming up. Lewis dressed all in red, in the scarlet of the prancing horse. An absolutely extraordinary story, a gift that will continue to provide entertainment for us. »
Hamilton and Ferrari: An Idyllic Partnership?
For the Briton, the seven-time world champion will succeed in his partnership with Ferrari, even though it poses some major challenges. But I think he will succeed. He spent all that time at McLaren, then at Mercedes. This is only his third team in F1, and he will want to show that, despite being 40, he is not finished as some said last year, and that he has still made the right decision. I think he will come full of energy.
« But it will be a challenge because he has to adapt to a new language, understand where all the buttons are in the team. He left behind Bono, his iconic engineer, and the Mercedes cocoon, so it won’t be that easy. That’s why I think he brought back Angela [Cullen, his physical trainer] and his manager, Marc Hynes, to surround himself with his usual team. Great challenges await him. Charles Leclerc, his teammate, has been with Ferrari for seven years, he knows exactly where all the right levers are, who does what, and who makes the decisions. Leclerc is incredibly fast, but I have no doubt that if Ferrari has a car capable of winning races or a championship, then Lewis can win races, even the championship. »
While the season hasn’t even started, Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari raises several questions. Will he regain his level both in races and in qualifying? Will he be capable of competing for the title and even winning it? See you on March 16th in Australia for a first glimpse of the answer.
