Lewis Hamilton unsure he can replicate Fernando Alonso’s debut…read more
Lewis Hamilton has expressed uncertainty about whether he can match Fernando Alonso’s remarkable achievement of winning on his debut with Ferrari in Formula 1. As Hamilton prepares for his much-anticipated first season with the iconic team, the pressure is mounting. Pre-season testing is set to begin next week in Bahrain, and all eyes will be on Hamilton as he embarks on his new journey with Ferrari.
Alonso’s debut with Ferrari in 2010 marked an unforgettable start, as he clinched a victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix. This victory kicked off a season in which he fought valiantly for a third World Championship, only to be narrowly defeated by Sebastian Vettel. This near-miss set the stage for Vettel’s four-year reign with Ferrari, a period that Hamilton now finds himself stepping into after switching from Mercedes.
Although Hamilton is excited about his new chapter with Ferrari, he admitted that replicating Alonso’s immediate success is no easy task. When asked how long it would take him to adapt to Ferrari’s 2025 car and extract its full potential, Hamilton stated that he didn’t have a clear answer. “That I don’t know,” he said, acknowledging that the transition to a new team is a monumental challenge. “Those guys did an amazing job,” he added, referring to Alonso and other drivers who had navigated similar transitions to Ferrari in the past.
Hamilton’s respect for drivers like Alonso, who joined Ferrari amid high expectations and delivered impressive performances, has only grown as he begins his own stint with the team. The British driver recognized the sheer amount of work and dedication required to acclimatize to a new team, particularly one as prestigious as Ferrari. He emphasized that the achievements of his predecessors, including Alonso, were even more remarkable than he initially realized.
Alonso’s initial success with Ferrari left a lasting impression, but it also showed just how difficult it can be to extract top-level results right away with the team. The constant adaptation to new technicalities, team dynamics, and a competitive environment makes every victory and podium finish all the more impressive. Hamilton, who has already achieved great success with Mercedes, now faces the daunting task of getting Ferrari back to the front of the grid after several seasons of struggling to maintain competitiveness.
As Hamilton embarks on his new chapter, he is aware that the road ahead will require patience and adaptability. The legendary team has faced its own challenges in recent years, but Hamilton is optimistic about his future with Ferrari. However, he understands that replicating the kind of immediate success Alonso enjoyed is far from guaranteed. It will take time and effort for him to find the right balance and unlock the potential of the 2025 Ferrari car.
