F1 Legend Warns Red Bull and Predicts Hamilton’s Adjustment Period at Ferrari
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has expressed concerns about Red Bull’s trajectory, suggesting the team is “lost” after a challenging 2024 season. He also shared his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, predicting that the seven-time champion will require time to adapt to his new team.
Red Bull’s Decline in 2024
Despite Max Verstappen clinching his fourth consecutive drivers’ title in 2024, Red Bull faced significant struggles throughout the season. The RB20, which was expected to maintain the team’s dominance, proved problematic, leading to a 10-race winless streak for Verstappen — a drought unseen since 2020.
Fittipaldi doesn’t foresee an immediate turnaround for Red Bull in 2025. Speaking to Talksport, the Brazilian legend highlighted McLaren as the team to beat, crediting their consistency last season as the key factor.
“In my opinion, McLaren are the biggest favourites,” said Fittipaldi. “It’s not just because I have a history with McLaren, but if you look at their performance last year, they were always in contention.”
He elaborated further on Red Bull’s struggles, noting, “Red Bull started losing momentum. They’re up and down, a little lost. Meanwhile, McLaren has been very consistent.”
McLaren’s Title Chances
Fittipaldi sees McLaren as the strongest contender for the 2025 championship, particularly with their driver pairing of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. While acknowledging both drivers’ talents, he pointed out that Norris’ greater experience gives him an edge.
“Lando, for sure, is much more experienced,” he explained. “I think McLaren can win the world championship with Lando or Oscar. It will be exciting to watch how the season unfolds.”
Hamilton’s Transition Year at Ferrari
Fittipaldi also discussed Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari, describing the 2025 season as a period of adjustment for the veteran driver. After a long career with Mercedes, Hamilton is expected to face challenges in adapting to Ferrari’s systems and culture.
“Lewis is in a transition year,” Fittipaldi commented. “With all his wisdom and experience, he will definitely help Ferrari improve, but that process takes time — possibly six months.”
Despite the potential hurdles, Fittipaldi remains optimistic about Hamilton’s future with the Scuderia. “It would be great to see Lewis and Ferrari performing well. It’d be fantastic for motorsport,” he said.
The Season Ahead
With Red Bull’s dominance now in question, McLaren poised to take the lead, and Hamilton embarking on a new chapter at Ferrari, the 2025 Formula 1 season promises to be a fascinating one. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold and whether Fittipaldi’s predictions come to fruition.
As teams prepare for the opening rounds, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Red Bull’s ability to bounce back, McLaren’s push for the title, and Hamilton’s quest to bring Ferrari back to the top.
