Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari: A new era of F1 begins
23 January 2025An exciting new chapter for British F1 fans is set to begin as seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton made his first public appearances as a Ferrari driver, starting at the team’s sacred Maranello headquarters before driving a two-year old car in misty conditions at the team’s testing facility, Fiorano.
With all that buzz comes countless questions; what will this first season hold for the Lewis Hamilton Ferrari partnership? Will he be able to get the better of team-mate Charles Leclerc and the in-form Lando Norris? Here, we’ll do our best to answer these questions and more.
Why did Hamilton join Ferrari?
Hamilton joined Ferrari after three underwhelming seasons with Mercedes. With renewed motivation in the face of a new challenge, his ultimate goal will be returning the Scuderia to its glory days and finally securing that elusive, record-breaking eighth world title.
When will Hamilton drive for Ferrari?
The legendary British driver will race with Ferrari for the first time in 2025, donning its iconic scarlet colours throughout the season.
Hamilton’s first Scuderia sighting has generated plenty of hype around the upcoming season, with F1’s 75th anniversary season launch event fast approaching, pre-season testing scheduled for the end of February and the Melbourne season opener – where Lewis will make his racing debut for Ferrari – set to get the 24-race calendar underway on 16 March.
What could Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s first season together look like?
If the stars were to align, Hamilton's first year with Ferrari could be one of those fairytale seasons that gets etched into F1 folklore. His adaptability, mature approach to racecraft and relentless consistency could be the final pieces of the puzzle for a team that’s making its way back to the front.
Although Ferrari came oh so close to the 2024 Constructors’ title, there’s no guarantee that pace will be carried over into this season. That will be the determining factor in how fruitful this first Hamilton/Ferrari season will be.
Frédéric Vasseur and Hamilton: The dynamic duo Ferrari needs?
In recent years, Ferrari has been the main contributor of its own clichés. Qualifying brilliance has been hindered by inconsistent race pace, strategy calls have been met with unanimous ridicule and the entire team appeared disjointed. Under the direction of Frédéric Vasseur though, that all seems to have changed. 2024 was a turning point; the Scuderia looked to be operating as a well-oiled machine once more, alluding to a return to its F1 powerhouse status. Hamilton’s unparalleled experience in developing title-winning cars coupled with a pre-existing Vasseur relationship could prove pivotal in the final stages of Ferrari’s resurgence.
Who will be Hamilton’s engineer at Ferrari?
Hamilton’s race engineer at Ferrari will be a crucial element to the success of the partnership. If the relationship can thrive half as much as the Brit’s 12-year association with Pete Bonnington or “Bono” – responsible for six of Lewis’ seven titles – then we could be in for vintage Hamilton performances.
Although an official announcement on who exactly will fill Bono’s shoes is yet to surface, Riccardo Adami seems a likely candidate. The Italian engineer has worked with Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel during their respective tenures with the Scuderia.
Can Hamilton finally break Michael Schumacher’s record?
Comparisons between Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher were an inevitability when the Brit drew level with the German on seven Drivers’ titles in 2020. Now Hamilton has joined Ferrari – a team Schumacher took to unprecedented success in the early 2000s – the parallels are event more evident.
Schumacher delivered five consecutive Drivers’ Championships with Ferrari between 2000 and 2004 (the most of any driver in the team’s history), making his name synonymous with the Scuderia.
Now Hamilton stands on the verge of greatness. Should the Ferrari partnership deliver, he could finally find redemption for the controversial 2021 season finale, break Schumacher’s record and become only the second driver to win championships with three different constructors after the great Juan Manuel Fangio. All that in one fell swoop.
Challenges to overcome: Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris
If Hamilton is to take that eighth title, he’ll have to fend off stiff competition from upcoming compatriots, old rivals and even from within his own team.
The internal battle at Ferrari could prove fierce, with Hamilton’s new stablemate Charles Leclerc deeply embedded within the DNA of the team. He’s a proven race winner, has blistering pace over a qualifying lap and has even started to iron out his all-too-frequent crashes.
Then there’s the Lando Norris/McLaren combination to consider. As the closest challengers for the 2024 Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Champions last year, they will undoubtedly be the favourites this season. Hamilton will have to win out against Norris, as well as his old rival Max Verstappen, who is also likely be a contender in the title race.
How Hamilton and Ferrari could transform F1’s landscape
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari isn’t just about chasing race wins and that record-breaking title; for F1, it’s bigger than that. Ferrari is the most famous brand in all of motorsport, while Hamilton is one of the world’s most recognisable athletes. Two of the biggest titans the sport has ever seen coming together could see yet more growth for an already booming fanbase, broadening F1’s appeal like never before.
Hamilton and Ferrari’s voyage into the unknown might not pan out the way either party would’ve hoped, but at the same time it could very well become one of the most memorable team-ups in F1 history. Whatever the case, its sure to deliver excitement, drama, and headlines by the bucketload.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the sport, Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari is one storyline that will keep everyone glued to F1 in 2025.
