The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to be a historic one, as it marks Lewis Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari. The seven-time world champion has left Mercedes in pursuit of an eighth title, aiming to break the all-time record. However, the season will undoubtedly be highly competitive, with a number of talented drivers and fast cars on the grid. While Hamilton is eager to compete, there are several factors that will play into his performance, including the strengths of his Ferrari car, rival teams like McLaren, and the dominance of Max Verstappen.
One of the early predictions for Hamilton’s season is that he will likely finish fifth in the drivers’ championship. According to Connor McDonagh, this is a reasonable forecast given the expected competitiveness of the field. McLaren, for instance, are widely regarded as having one of the fastest cars heading into the new season, and both McLaren drivers are expected to score strong points throughout the year. Additionally, reigning champion Max Verstappen remains a formidable force, and his quest for a fifth consecutive title will surely be a significant factor in the title battle.
McDonagh also predicts that Charles Leclerc will hold a clear advantage over Hamilton during the season. While Hamilton is known for his adaptability and skill, getting up to speed with a new team can take time, and Ferrari’s internal battle could see Leclerc outperform his new teammate. Hamilton, despite being one of the most experienced and successful drivers in the sport, may face a steep learning curve in his first year at Ferrari, especially given the team’s tendency to prioritize their number one driver.
However, despite these challenges, McDonagh believes that Hamilton will still manage to win at least one race during the 2025 season, which would be a remarkable feat given the strong competition. Although it is unlikely that Hamilton will win in the opening race in Australia, Ferrari’s car is expected to have some high points throughout the year, and Hamilton’s driving prowess means he will have opportunities to capitalize on those moments. It’s important to note that it’s rare for Hamilton to go a whole season without winning a race, a trend that’s only been broken twice in his career (in 2022 and 2023).
Lewis Larkam offers a much bolder prediction, sticking with his earlier assertion that Hamilton will win the championship in his first season with Ferrari. Larkam believes that the season will be closely contested, with multiple drivers vying for race wins. He expects Hamilton to be one of those drivers, picking up five or six victories over the course of the season. Larkam envisions a tight battle for the title, with four teams (Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes) sharing wins throughout the year. Alongside Hamilton, Larkam anticipates that Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, McLaren’s drivers, and George Russell will all find themselves on the podium throughout the season.
On the other hand, Lewis Duncan takes a more cautious approach in his assessment of Hamilton’s potential. He acknowledges that fighting for the championship in his first year with Ferrari would be a difficult task, but points out that the season is long, and Hamilton has a track record of rising to the occasion. However, Duncan suggests that Hamilton’s chances of securing a title are slim due to McLaren’s impressive form and Verstappen’s unwavering dominance. In this context, Duncan sees finishing in the top three of the championship as a strong result for Hamilton in his debut year with Ferrari. He adds that a more realistic goal for Hamilton would be to win at least two races during the season, matching his win tally from the previous year at Mercedes. He also notes that Charles Leclerc managed three wins for Ferrari in 2024, meaning that Hamilton’s aim of two victories is entirely feasible.
Ultimately, while opinions vary on how successful Hamilton’s first year with Ferrari will be, one thing is clear: the 2025 season promises to be an exciting one. Whether or not Hamilton can clinch an eighth world title in his first season with Ferrari remains to be seen, but his talent, experience, and determination mean that he will certainly be a key player in the battle for supremacy. Fans will be watching closely as Hamilton takes on a new challenge and looks to make his mark with a team that has long been associated with success in the sport.
