Lewis Hamilton’s closing chapters with Mercedes earlier than his much-anticipated change to Ferrari have been removed from the triumphant farewell many had envisioned.
Earlier than delivering an emotional last victory for Mercedes at his dwelling British Grand Prix, Hamilton endured a close to three-year drought with no win, spanning virtually 1,000 days. Even his subsequent victory at Spa, which added one other achievement to his glittering profession, got here beneath uncommon circumstances following the disqualification of teammate George Russell after the race.
Now getting into his 18th Method 1 season, the seven-time Method 1 world champion is about to embark on a brand new chapter, one that can see him don the enduring crimson of Ferrari. This pairing, Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, is a union that has lengthy been the topic of fan hypothesis and intrigue. For years, the likelihood appeared more and more distant as Hamilton’s unprecedented success with Mercedes continued to solidify his legacy. But, the dream situation is lastly changing into actuality.
Lewis Hamilton’s first expertise behind the wheel of a Ferrari Method 1 automobile is simply across the nook. With solely weeks to go till pre-season testing in Bahrain, he’ll quickly start his work with Ferrari’s 2025 challenger, a automobile that carries the burden of excessive expectations. Reflecting on what lies forward, motorsport journalist Mark Hughes shared his insights on The Race F1 Podcast. Hughes supplied an early evaluation of how Hamilton would possibly adapt to life at Maranello and famous a major distinction that would play to the British driver’s benefit.
Grand Prix editor for Motor Sport journal Mark Hughes identified that one ‘excessive’ problem Hamilton confronted throughout his time with Mercedes, one thing that proved a recurring hurdle—might not be as pronounced at Ferrari. This variation might permit Lewis Hamilton to completely exploit his driving expertise and thrive in a brand new surroundings with fewer of the constraints he struggled towards in his last years at Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton, recognized for his capacity to extract each ounce of efficiency from a automobile, might discover the Ferrari 2025 machine extra to his liking, giving him the liberty to push more durable and extra persistently than earlier than. As he prepares to go away behind the struggles of latest seasons, the stage is about for a captivating new chapter within the profession of one in every of Method 1’s best drivers.
When requested concerning the elements that will decide the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Hughes defined that it could finally come all the way down to uncooked velocity. He famous that after a season the place Hamilton was decisively outperformed by a teammate for the primary time in his profession, there have been now query marks surrounding his tempo. In distinction, Hughes asserted that Charles Leclerc’s velocity was unquestionable.
Mark Hughes steered that Hamilton, regardless of his unparalleled profession achievements, would possibly enter Ferrari as a slight underdog. Nonetheless, he added that the scenario won’t be as simple because it appeared. He identified a believable rationalization for Hamilton’s struggles with the Mercedes, associated to the automobile’s restricted pitching and diving traits, which clashed with Hamilton’s pure driving model.
The Method 1 skilled additional remarked that Ferrari’s automobile didn’t appear to exhibit the identical excessive traits. As a substitute, it appeared to permit for a extra aggressive nook entry, as Leclerc had demonstrated on quite a few events. He highlighted that this attribute had been an indicator of Ferrari’s automobiles over the previous three or 4 years and speculated that it’d carry over into their 2025 challenger.
Given this, Mark Hughes contemplated whether or not the Ferrari’s traits would align effectively with Hamilton’s driving model. If that’s the case, he predicted an distinctive and thrilling rivalry between the 2 drivers.
Ferrari demonstrated in 2024 that they’re able to offering Lewis Hamilton with a race-winning Method 1 automobile.
Hamilton introduced his departure from Mercedes forward of the season, permitting him a whole 12 months to bid farewell to his loyal followers at each circuit he visited. Every milestone carried emotional weight for the seven-time champion, and his last efficiency within the W15 proved his enduring talent. Beginning deep within the discipline, Hamilton fought his method by the pack to safe a P4 end, overtaking teammate George Russell within the course of.
Commentator Martin Brundle had even predicted Hamilton’s decisive last-lap transfer on Russell, a second that showcased the veteran driver’s unrelenting starvation. That dedication will undoubtedly give Ferrari crew boss Fred Vasseur confidence in his daring determination to exchange Carlos Sainz with the skilled Hamilton.
Whereas Hamilton’s dramatic comeback within the Abu Dhabi finale was a spotlight for followers, Ferrari would have been equally thrilled by their vital progress all through the 2024 season. Though a poorly executed replace on the Spanish Grand Prix briefly derailed their momentum, the Scuderia shortly recovered. By the top of the 12 months, they have been working at a degree akin to Constructors’ Champions McLaren, a exceptional feat that underscored their resurgence.
This upward trajectory bodes effectively for the longer term. If Ferrari can maintain their 2024 kind into the 2025 season, the 2 Maranello drivers might discover themselves battling for the championship. For Lewis Hamilton, it could be an opportunity so as to add one other chapter to his storied profession, whereas Ferrari would relish the chance to return to their former glory with two of the grid’s high abilities on the helm.
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