Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes marks the tip of an unbelievable 12-season partnership, throughout which he secured six world titles with the workforce. 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 workforce 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 automotive was discovered to be underweight.
After a difficult remaining season with Mercedes, the British driver now faces a brand new check with Ferrari, a transition that may require him to adapt to an Italian workforce after spending his total F1 profession with English-based outfits.
Guenther Steiner, the previous Haas workforce principal, has defined why this new problem is essential for Hamilton, notably in his rivalry with Charles Leclerc. In accordance with Guenther Steiner, dealing with off in opposition to the gifted Monegasque driver is strictly what Hamilton wants as he approaches the following section of his profession.
Martin Brundle believes Charles Leclerc is the quickest driver on the present grid, which can undoubtedly push Hamilton, who has had his justifiable share of robust teammates up to now. Charles Leclerc’s distinctive velocity in qualifying is clear, having claimed pole positions in Monaco and Azerbaijan this season. Nevertheless, he’s identified to push the boundaries, which has typically led to errors, equivalent to crashes in Azerbaijan and Miami. Then again, 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 change into higher, 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 effectively, 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 continues to be there.” – the previous Haas workforce boss acknowledged in an interview for the Champ1 YouTube channel – “The automotive must be good, and Charles Leclerc received’t be straightforward to beat in the identical automotive, so it’s a problem for him, however I feel he wants it.” – the Italian and American motorsport engineer and former workforce supervisor continued.
Lewis Hamilton should preserve his robust race tempo at Ferrari. Whereas he has struggled with qualifying efficiency recently, his misfortune, like in Abu Dhabi when he hit a bollard knocked over by Kevin Magnussen, has additionally performed an element in his setbacks.
Nevertheless, the British driver demonstrated his ability on the Yas Marina Circuit, the place he made a outstanding restoration from sixteenth to fourth on the grid. Ferrari can be introducing a brand new automotive idea for the upcoming season, but when Hamilton can preserve his race tempo, he’ll stay a formidable competitor.
The workforce may be taking some dangers with the event of subsequent yr’s automotive, and the upgraded suspension could possibly be an asset for Hamilton’s efficiency.
A powerful begin with Ferrari, particularly with a victory, can be a serious constructive for the seven-time world champion, although considerations linger about his means to beat the inconsistency that has characterised his current kind.
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