Lando Norris predicts slow start for Lewis Hamilton due to…read more
Lando Norris, a McLaren driver, has predicted that Lewis Hamilton will face challenges in the early stages of his 2025 Formula 1 season with Ferrari. Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, is making a significant move from Mercedes to Scuderia Ferrari for the upcoming season after spending 12 years with Mercedes.
At the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton struggled during the first Free Practice session, finishing 12th. His performance highlighted the difficulties he faced in adapting to the new Ferrari car, indicating that there would be a learning curve for the British driver as he adjusted to his new team.
Norris, who topped the first practice session at Albert Park, acknowledged that while Hamilton is undoubtedly talented, transitioning to a new team after such a long period with one team would not be without its difficulties. Norris explained, “I don’t expect that to happen too much, I think Lewis will still take a little time to settle in.” He went on to say that, although Hamilton might not be immediately off the pace, there would still be challenges for him in the opening races of the season. According to Norris, even the most experienced drivers like Hamilton need time to adapt when switching teams, and it takes a few races to fully get to grips with the new car and team dynamics.
Despite this, Norris expressed confidence that Hamilton would overcome these challenges quickly, as he knows exactly what adjustments are needed and has the experience to iron them out. Norris emphasized that Hamilton’s vast experience and racing intelligence would help him recover quickly, even if his results aren’t immediately impressive at the start of the season.
Norris himself had a strong showing at Albert Park, finishing at the top of the timesheets in the first session, which further demonstrated McLaren’s competitiveness from the previous season. However, in the second practice session, Charles Leclerc, driving for Ferrari, took the top spot, while Hamilton improved to fifth place.
As for the title fight in 2025, Norris believes that it won’t just be a battle against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. He expects other drivers, including Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Hamilton, and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, to be in contention. Norris also mentioned the potential competitiveness of Mercedes drivers, suggesting that there will be multiple teams and drivers vying for top honors throughout the season.
In conclusion, while Lando Norris acknowledged that Hamilton may face a slow start at Ferrari in 2025, he believes that the seven-time champion will adjust and be competitive once he settles into his new team. The upcoming season is shaping up to be a highly competitive one, with multiple contenders expected to challenge for the title.
