Lewis Hamilton Faces a Tough Challenge at Ferrari After Struggles at…read more
Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger believes Lewis Hamilton will need to “grit his teeth” to succeed at Ferrari after facing “two problems” during his final seasons with Mercedes. Berger, who raced for Ferrari across six seasons, shared his perspective on Hamilton’s high-profile switch to Maranello and the challenges that lie ahead for the seven-time World Champion.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks a significant change in his illustrious career, having won six of his seven Drivers’ Championships with Mercedes over a 12-year partnership. However, in recent seasons, the Silver Arrows have struggled to provide Hamilton with a car capable of consistently fighting for victories, and this, according to Berger, was one of the key issues Hamilton faced.
Speaking to the German publication Auto Motor und Sport, Berger explained that Hamilton’s time at Mercedes had become stagnant, with the lack of regular wins and the long tenure at the same team contributing to his need for a fresh challenge. “He has had two problems: the Mercedes has only been a winning car on exceptional occasions, and he has now been in the same team for so long that only a change of scenery will help,” Berger said.
The Austrian racing legend believes that Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari could reignite his competitive fire, especially as finishing in the midfield — as he did in recent seasons with Mercedes — is not something that motivates a driver of Hamilton’s caliber. “Finishing fifth is not a result that motivates Hamilton. He’ll have to grit his teeth again at Ferrari and could well be at his best once more,” Berger noted.
However, despite the renewed motivation, Berger warned that Hamilton faces a formidable internal challenge in Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s young and blisteringly fast incumbent driver. Leclerc, who has already proven his talent with multiple race wins and pole positions, is likely to push Hamilton hard within the team. Berger admitted that while Ferrari could be in the hunt for the championship, it’s unclear whether Hamilton or Leclerc will emerge as the team’s leading contender.
“On the other hand, I think he’ll struggle against Leclerc’s speed. It’s going to be a very tight race,” Berger concluded, suggesting that while Hamilton’s experience and determination could help him thrive at Ferrari, he won’t have an easy path to success.
Hamilton’s goal remains clear: to win a record-breaking eighth World Championship. Whether Ferrari can provide him with the car to do so — and whether he can outperform his young teammate — will be one of the most captivating storylines of the upcoming Formula 1 season.
