Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes marks the tip of an unimaginable 12-season partnership, throughout which he secured six world titles with the workforce. Because the seven-time world champion bids farewell to the German outfit, he’s set to tackle a brand new problem at Ferrari, the place he’ll workforce up with Charles Leclerc in 2025.
This season, Ferrari has outpaced Mercedes, contending for the Constructors’ Championship, although they narrowly missed out in Abu Dhabi. In the meantime, Mercedes has struggled because the introduction of the bottom impact period in 2022, with Hamilton managing solely a single victory on the British Grand Prix earlier this 12 months. He additionally completed second behind teammate George Russell in Belgium, however inherited the win after George Russell‘s automotive was discovered to be underweight.
After a difficult ultimate season with Mercedes, the British driver now faces a brand new check with Ferrari, a transition that may require him to adapt to an Italian workforce after spending his complete F1 profession with English-based outfits.
Guenther Steiner, the previous Haas workforce principal, has defined why this new problem is essential for Hamilton, notably in his rivalry with Charles Leclerc. In keeping with Guenther Steiner, going through off towards the gifted Monegasque driver is strictly what Hamilton wants as he approaches the following part of his profession.
Martin Brundle believes Charles Leclerc is the quickest driver on the present grid, which is able to undoubtedly push Hamilton, who has had his fair proportion of powerful teammates previously. Charles Leclerc’s distinctive velocity in qualifying is clear, having claimed pole positions in Monaco and Azerbaijan this season. Nonetheless, he’s identified to push the boundaries, which has typically led to errors, resembling crashes in Azerbaijan and Miami. Then again, Hamilton has struggled to match Leclerc’s qualifying tempo this 12 months, failing to safe a single pole place.
The prospect of competing alongside the Monegasque driver may function a much-needed motivator for the 39-year-old Lewis Hamilton. Guenther Steiner means that as drivers age, the challenges grow to be better, however for the seven-time F1 world champion, taking up Chares Leclerc as a teammate might be the spark that revitalizes his ardour for racing: “It’s noticeable in all of us, and I’m positive there are athletes as nicely, however when you get to 40, I feel it additionally turns into harder for a driver when it comes to response occasions, however I feel the drive continues to be there.” – the previous Haas workforce boss said in an interview for the Champ1 YouTube channel – “The automotive must be good, and Charles Leclerc gained’t be straightforward to beat in the identical automotive, so it’s a problem for him, however I feel he wants it.” – the Italian and American motorsport engineer and former workforce supervisor continued.
Lewis Hamilton should keep his sturdy race tempo at Ferrari. Whereas he has struggled with qualifying efficiency recently, his misfortune, like in Abu Dhabi when he hit a bollard knocked over by Kevin Magnussen, has additionally performed a component in his setbacks.
Nonetheless, the British driver demonstrated his talent on the Yas Marina Circuit, the place he made a outstanding restoration from sixteenth to fourth on the grid. Ferrari might be introducing a brand new automotive idea for the upcoming season, but when Hamilton can keep his race tempo, he’ll stay a formidable competitor.
The workforce is perhaps taking some dangers with the event of subsequent 12 months’s automotive, and the upgraded suspension might be an asset for Hamilton’s efficiency.
A robust begin with Ferrari, particularly with a victory, can be a significant constructive for the seven-time world champion, although considerations linger about his capability to beat the inconsistency that has characterised his current kind.
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