Lewis Hamilton is about to affix a Ferrari staff that narrowly missed out on the constructors’ championship this 12 months, with the Italian aspect ending simply 14 factors behind McLaren—the closest margin since 2006. This consequence means that the Maranello staff might be seen as on the verge of breaking their title drought, which has continued because the 2008 System 1 marketing campaign. With secure rules forward of the key 2026 overhaul, most groups are approaching the efficiency ceiling of their present ideas, placing Ferrari in prime place to capitalize.
Reflecting on their season, it’s simple to pinpoint moments the place Ferrari misplaced vital factors. Carlos Sainz’s absence in Saudi Arabia, regardless of Oliver Bearman’s stable seventh-place end as a stand-in, probably price them worthwhile outcomes. Moreover, a double retirement on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Canada and Carlos Sainz’s crashes in Azerbaijan and Qatar compounded their setbacks. These missed alternatives underline how shut Ferrari got here to reclaiming glory.
Regardless of the Spaniard’s robust performances, Ferrari opted to half methods with him after seven-time System 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton expressed his readiness to affix. It’s a daring transfer, with Hamilton seen as the ultimate ingredient to remodel Ferrari’s promise into championship-winning type. His arrival coincides with Ferrari’s best season in over a decade, an indication that his timing might as soon as once more be impeccable.
Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur has hinted that Hamilton’s debut automotive will likely be a game-changer. Opposite to expectations of an evolutionary replace, Ferrari plans to take a revolutionary strategy to their 2025 challenger. Talking on the *AutoHebdo* podcast, journalist Dorian Grangier described this technique as a “danger.” Whereas it holds the potential for nice rewards, there’s additionally the hazard that Ferrari may slip behind rivals Mercedes and Purple Bull, probably turning into solely the fourth-fastest staff if the gamble fails.
Ferrari’s growth efforts in 2024 delivered blended outcomes. Though they got here near producing the most effective general bundle, a mid-season misstep with an improve prompted pricey points with bouncing. Experiences from the Italian each day newspaper Corriere della Sera recommend Ferrari is planning a big suspension overhaul in the course of the low season. Notably, Loic Serra, who labored carefully with the British driver at Mercedes, will spearhead the event of Ferrari’s new chassis—an element that might present Hamilton with a well-known edge as he takes on his subsequent problem.
Dorian Grangier talked about that he didn’t take into account McLaren to be a serious favourite for 2025, stating that, in his view, the dynamics at Ferrari had been at present stronger. He additionally famous that, in accordance with Frederic Vasseur, the staff’s automotive for the brand new season wouldn’t merely be an evolution however a very new design. The journalist acknowledged that this strategy carried dangers, however identified that Ferrari had taken an identical danger this 12 months and it had paid off, suggesting that they may as nicely give it one other attempt.
The potential for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to change into an excellent teammate pairing at Ferrari is turning into more and more clear. Lewis Hamilton might have the chance to get behind the wheel of his new Ferrari earlier than the official winter testing begins, as groups are allowed two filming days, although these are topic to restricted mileage and the usage of particular tyres. Even with these restrictions, any additional mileage will likely be worthwhile for the 39-year-old driver, who faces the problem of adapting to not solely a brand new automotive but additionally a unique staff setting. As well as, Hamilton may have the possibility to drive an older Ferrari mannequin at Fiorano with out these limitations, additional aiding his transition.
Alternatively, the Monegasque driver has been part of the Ferrari household since 2019, that means he’s already deeply ingrained within the Maranello staff’s operations and tradition, giving him a definite benefit, particularly in the course of the early phases of the upcoming season. The bond between the 2 drivers is obvious, as seen of their heat embrace within the F1 paddock after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which underscored the mutual respect they share. This robust relationship means that Ferrari might have discovered the right teammate duo for the 2025 System 1 marketing campaign, able to working collectively harmoniously each on and off the observe.
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