Mika Hakkinen: “Ferrari fans will energize Lewis Hamilton, but McLaren is tough to beat”. Mika Hakkinen reflects on Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari .

The 2025 F1 season is about to begin, and Mika Hakkinen has something to say about everything—from Ferrari to Lewis Hamilton, passing through a McLaren reminiscent of its golden days. In less than two weeks, the season will kick off with the Australian Grand Prix, the opening race of what promises to be an electrifying championship. The Woking-based team is already the frontrunner, but the SF-25 has a few tricks up its sleeve that Loic Serra is ready to unveil in Melbourne.

Many questions surround the lead-up to the new season. The Bahrain tests were more cryptic than ever, leaving only a few scattered clues for analysts. The only apparent certainty is that McLaren holds some level of advantage, with the MCL39 aiming for a championship double. However, in the Maranello garage, a certain Englishman couldn’t help but smile.

It’s his first year with Ferrari after a dominant career exclusively powered by Mercedes. His impact on the Scuderia’s atmosphere is undeniable, even stealing the spotlight from homegrown star Charles Leclerc. And, according to him, this SF-25 is the car that has given him the most positive sensations in recent years. The hunt for an eighth title will begin in Australia for Lewis Hamilton.

Mika Hakkinen: McLaren is tough to beat, but Hamilton has Ferrari’s fans on his side

Mika Hakkinen offers some insights into the upcoming season. The two-time world champion—1998 and 1999—shared some interesting thoughts with Gianmaria Rosati of Corriere dello Sport: “Today’s Formula 1 is a great show, and the championship that’s about to begin is one of the most unpredictable ever.”

“I could spend an entire day explaining why one driver might prevail over another without arriving at the conclusion everyone wants: if you don’t have a crystal ball, you can’t predict who will win the title. It won’t be easy for anyone because today’s McLaren reminds me of the one from my era, which experienced gradual growth and ‘prepared’ itself in the right way to win.”

On Lewis Hamilton, the Finn highlights the importance of fan support: “I believe Lewis will have a positive impact, just like he did at McLaren and Mercedes. The difference is that Ferrari has fans all over the world, and this will bring him extra motivation. He has always been able to evolve, he has a lot of experience, and in my opinion, 40 years is not too old—maybe it was in my time, but training methods and sports science have advanced tremendously.” – the former McLaren driver concluded.