Lewis Hamilton sent warning over Ferrari teammate situation…read more
Peter Windsor, a former Formula 1 team manager and respected observer, has expressed doubts about Lewis Hamilton replicating his dominant success at Mercedes when he races for Ferrari in the 2025 season. After spending 12 years with Mercedes, during which he achieved remarkable success—including six drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ titles—Hamilton is making a dramatic shift to Ferrari. The move comes after growing frustrations with Mercedes’ struggles to adapt to the current ‘ground effect’ regulations, which hindered their car’s performance. Consequently, Hamilton decided to pursue a childhood dream of racing for Ferrari, a decision that will see him competing alongside Charles Leclerc, one of the fastest drivers on the grid.
Windsor believes that the circumstances at Ferrari will be vastly different from those Hamilton experienced at Mercedes, and that fans should not expect the same level of dominance from the British driver. According to Windsor, Hamilton had a significant advantage at Mercedes due to having a very strong yet accommodating teammate in Valtteri Bottas, along with the team’s superior car. He points out that, while Bottas was a capable driver, he was not as quick or competitive as other top-tier teammates, which allowed Hamilton to perform at his best. Windsor emphasizes that Leclerc is a different proposition altogether, citing the Monegasque driver’s remarkable qualifying record and speed as a key challenge for Hamilton.
Over the years, Hamilton has certainly faced tough teammates, such as two-time world champion Fernando Alonso during his first year at McLaren in 2007, and later, Jenson Button in 2010, the reigning world champion at the time. At Mercedes, Hamilton was pushed to his limits by teammate Nico Rosberg, who eventually won the 2016 world title, and later by George Russell, who proved to be a formidable competitor. However, Windsor argues that Leclerc represents an even greater challenge than any of these teammates, as he has consistently outperformed his teammates in qualifying since joining F1 in 2018.
Leclerc’s record of never losing a qualifying head-to-head against any of his teammates further highlights the scale of the challenge Hamilton will face in 2025. Windsor’s comments suggest that while Hamilton’s talent and experience are undeniable, Ferrari’s team dynamics and the competitive nature of Leclerc could significantly affect Hamilton’s ability to dominate as he did in the past. The transition from Mercedes to Ferrari is expected to present challenges for Hamilton, not only in terms of adapting to a new car but also in navigating the intense rivalry with Leclerc. Despite his extensive experience, the 2025 season could be a very different chapter in Hamilton’s illustrious career.
