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Ferrari’s Former President Luca di Montezemolo Sounds Warning on Lewis Hamilton Signing
The highly anticipated arrival of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season has been met with a word of caution from the team’s former president, Luca di Montezemolo. Montezemolo, who led Ferrari through a successful era, has expressed concerns that Hamilton’s presence could create internal challenges, particularly regarding the team’s current star driver, Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was confirmed in February 2024, marking the end of his 12-year tenure at Mercedes. The seven-time world champion is seeking a new challenge with the Maranello-based team, a long-held dream for the British driver. However, Montezemolo has warned that Hamilton’s arrival could create tensions within the team, particularly given the high expectations that come with signing a driver of his caliber.
While Hamilton is undoubtedly an exceptional driver, comparable to Max Verstappen in terms of his talent and success, his presence at Ferrari could potentially overshadow Leclerc, who has not yet secured a championship victory despite strong individual performances. Montezemolo acknowledged the strength of both Leclerc and his predecessor, Carlos Sainz, stating that Ferrari’s issues in recent years have not been due to driver performance.
However, Montezemolo emphasized that Hamilton’s arrival could create a delicate dynamic, as Leclerc, who is still in the early stages of his career, may feel the pressure of a seasoned champion joining the team. This could potentially lead to internal conflicts and affect the team’s overall performance.
Montezemolo also outlined that Ferrari’s future success depends on several factors, including closing the performance gap with McLaren and developing a car that can win in diverse conditions. He stressed the importance of internal team clarity and management, noting that both technical and strategic cohesion will be crucial for the team’s championship aspirations.
In conclusion, while the signing of Hamilton is a significant and exciting development for Ferrari, Montezemolo’s warning serves as a reminder that the team must be cautious in managing the dynamics between its drivers. The coming season will be a pivotal one for Ferrari as they strive to be competitive from the start and fulfill the championship aspirations of their new star driver.
As Ferrari embarks on this new chapter with Hamilton, the team must ensure that they create an environment that allows both drivers to thrive. This will require careful management and a deep understanding of the dynamics at play. Only time will tell if Ferrari can successfully navigate these challenges and emerge as a dominant force in the 2025 season.
