Lewis Hamilton is ready to affix a Ferrari staff that narrowly missed out on the constructors’ championship this yr, with the Italian facet ending simply 14 factors behind McLaren—the closest margin since 2006. This end result means that the Maranello staff may be seen as on the verge of breaking their title drought, which has endured for the reason that 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 straightforward to pinpoint moments the place Ferrari misplaced important factors. Carlos Sainz’s absence in Saudi Arabia, regardless of Oliver Bearman’s stable seventh-place end as a stand-in, probably price them beneficial 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 sturdy 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 kind. His arrival coincides with Ferrari’s best season in over a decade, an indication that his timing could 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 method 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 might slip behind rivals Mercedes and Crimson Bull, doubtlessly 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 total bundle, a mid-season misstep with an improve induced expensive points with bouncing. Stories from the Italian day by day newspaper Corriere della Sera counsel Ferrari is planning a big suspension overhaul throughout the low season. Notably, Loic Serra, who labored intently 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 think about McLaren to be a serious favourite for 2025, stating that, in his view, the dynamics at Ferrari have 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 totally new design. The journalist acknowledged that this method carried dangers, however identified that Ferrari had taken an analogous danger this yr and it had paid off, suggesting that they may as effectively give it one other attempt.
The potential for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to turn into a great teammate pairing at Ferrari is turning into more and more clear. Lewis Hamilton could 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 using particular tyres. Even with these restrictions, any additional mileage will likely be beneficial for the 39-year-old driver, who faces the problem of adapting to not solely a brand new automotive but in addition a unique staff surroundings. As well as, Hamilton might have the possibility to drive an older Ferrari mannequin at Fiorano with out these limitations, additional aiding his transition.
However, the Monegasque driver has been part of the Ferrari household since 2019, which means he’s already deeply ingrained within the Maranello staff’s operations and tradition, giving him a definite benefit, particularly throughout the early phases of the upcoming season. The bond between the 2 drivers is clear, as seen of their heat embrace within the F1 paddock after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which underscored the mutual respect they share. This sturdy relationship means that Ferrari could have discovered the right teammate duo for the 2025 System 1 marketing campaign, able to working collectively harmoniously each on and off the monitor.
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