Ferrari title doubt with Hamilton ‘past his peak’ and Leclerc ‘not….read more
Ferrari’s hopes of securing their first World Championship since 2007 are facing significant challenges, as team principal Frits Van Amersfoort casts doubt on the team’s ability to dethrone Max Verstappen in the upcoming 2025 season. With the introduction of a new driver pairing—Lewis Hamilton replacing Carlos Sainz to join Charles Leclerc—Ferrari’s prospects are a subject of debate. While Hamilton brings with him seven World titles and 105 Grand Prix wins, Van Amersfoort doesn’t believe either of Ferrari’s drivers are in a position to challenge Verstappen’s dominance.
Van Amersfoort acknowledges Hamilton’s impressive career but believes the British driver may have passed his peak. Despite Hamilton’s consistent success with Mercedes, including six World Championships, the team principal feels Hamilton’s best years are behind him. In contrast, he also questions whether Charles Leclerc, still relatively young in his career, has the experience or skill to outpace Verstappen in 2025. Van Amersfoort commented that Leclerc is “not there yet,” despite the driver’s undeniable talent and potential. He also noted that Leclerc seems closer to him personally, implying that the young Ferrari driver might still have room to grow.
In discussing Ferrari’s driver strategy, Van Amersfoort highlighted that while both Hamilton and Leclerc are capable drivers, he personally would have preferred Ferrari to opt for another young talent instead of retaining Sainz or hiring Hamilton. However, he believes the combination of Hamilton and Ferrari could still work well, especially considering Hamilton’s emotional connection to the team. He speculated that Ferrari’s environment, often described as more passionate and dynamic, could be a better fit for Hamilton compared to his previous relationship with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. While Wolff is known for his strong leadership, Van Amersfoort thinks Ferrari’s more relaxed team atmosphere, possibly influenced by team boss Fred Vasseur, could help Hamilton feel more at ease and, perhaps, bring out his best.
As Hamilton arrives at Ferrari with the goal of securing an elusive eighth World Championship, he faces the daunting task of doing what previous drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, and Leclerc could not: dethrone Verstappen and lead Ferrari to the top. Van Amersfoort also pointed out that Ferrari’s team-first mentality has sometimes hindered its drivers, unlike Red Bull, where Max Verstappen has complete control. Ferrari’s deep-rooted focus on the team over individual drivers might be a disadvantage for Leclerc, who, despite being just as fast as Verstappen, has been hampered by the political dynamics within the Scuderia. Still, Van Amersfoort conceded that driving for Ferrari—one of the most iconic brands in motorsport—is an unparalleled opportunity, despite the challenges.
