Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes marks the end of an incredible 12-season partnership, during which he secured six world titles with the team. As the seven-time world champion bids farewell to the German outfit, he is set to take on a new challenge at Ferrari, where he will team up with Charles Leclerc in 2025.
This season, Ferrari has outpaced Mercedes, contending for the Constructors’ Championship, though they narrowly missed out in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, Mercedes has struggled since the introduction of the ground effect era in 2022, with Hamilton managing only a single victory at the British Grand Prix earlier this year. He also finished second behind teammate George Russell in Belgium, but inherited the win after George Russell‘s car was found to be underweight.
After a challenging final season with Mercedes, the British driver now faces a new test with Ferrari, a transition that will require him to adapt to an Italian team after spending his entire F1 career with English-based outfits.
Guenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, has explained why this new challenge is crucial for Hamilton, particularly in his rivalry with Charles Leclerc. According to Guenther Steiner, facing off against the talented Monegasque driver is exactly what Hamilton needs as he approaches the next phase of his career.
Martin Brundle believes Charles Leclerc is the fastest driver on the current grid, which will undoubtedly push Hamilton, who has had his fair share of tough teammates in the past. Charles Leclerc’s exceptional speed in qualifying is evident, having claimed pole positions in Monaco and Azerbaijan this season. However, he is known to push the limits, which has sometimes led to mistakes, such as crashes in Azerbaijan and Miami. On the other hand, Hamilton has struggled to match Leclerc’s qualifying pace this year, failing to secure a single pole position.
The prospect of competing alongside the Monegasque driver could serve as a much-needed motivator for the 39-year-old Lewis Hamilton. Guenther Steiner suggests that as drivers age, the challenges become greater, but for the seven-time F1 world champion, taking on Chares Leclerc as a teammate could be the spark that revitalizes his passion for racing: “It’s noticeable in all of us, and I’m sure there are athletes as well, but once you get to 40, I think it also becomes more difficult for a driver in terms of reaction times, but I think the drive is still there.” – the former Haas team boss stated in an interview for the Champ1 YouTube channel – “The car has to be good, and Charles Leclerc won’t be easy to beat in the same car, so it’s a challenge for him, but I think he needs it.” – the Italian and American motorsport engineer and former team manager continued.
Lewis Hamilton must maintain his strong race pace at Ferrari. While he has struggled with qualifying performance lately, his misfortune, like in Abu Dhabi when he hit a bollard knocked over by Kevin Magnussen, has also played a part in his setbacks.
However, the British driver demonstrated his skill at the Yas Marina Circuit, where he made a remarkable recovery from 16th to fourth on the grid. Ferrari will be introducing a new car concept for the upcoming season, but if Hamilton can maintain his race pace, he will remain a formidable competitor.
The team might be taking some risks with the development of next year’s car, and the upgraded suspension could be an asset for Hamilton’s performance.
A strong start with Ferrari, especially with a victory, would be a major positive for the seven-time world champion, though concerns linger about his ability to overcome the inconsistency that has characterized his recent form.
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