The ‘pretty unlikely’ scenario that could see Lewis Hamilton leave Ferrari at…read more
There’s a lot of anticipation about how Lewis Hamilton will perform at Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc in 2025, a season that could bring significant challenges for the seven-time world champion. Hamilton, now 40 years old, will be entering the twilight of his career and will be keen to fight for wins and championships, something he’s done throughout his career. However, his recent performances in comparison to his teammates have been a topic of discussion, particularly his struggles against George Russell. In their three seasons together at Mercedes, Russell managed to outshine Hamilton in two of those years, highlighting the competitive edge of the younger driver.
On the other hand, Hamilton has been much more dominant over his previous teammates, Nico Rosberg and Valtteri Bottas. He was only bested by Rosberg once, in 2016, during their intense rivalry. Given this history, expectations are high for how Hamilton will fare when paired with another strong driver, Charles Leclerc, at Ferrari. Leclerc has been with Ferrari since 2019 and has deep roots in the team’s culture, having come through their driver academy and being managed by Nicholas Todt, the son of former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt. These connections give Leclerc an added advantage, as he is not only a talented driver but also one who is fully embedded in the team’s ethos.
The arrival of Hamilton at Ferrari, one of the sport’s most storied teams, brings a different dynamic to the Scuderia. While the pairing of Hamilton and Leclerc could make for an exciting and competitive team, the challenge for Hamilton could be the absence of a clear “wingman” like he had with Bottas at Mercedes. In that arrangement, Bottas often played the role of supporting Hamilton, but at Ferrari, Leclerc will be a direct competitor for victories, which could make the rivalry more difficult.
In discussing Hamilton’s potential future at Ferrari, journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm touched upon a scenario that could lead to the Briton’s departure from the team by the end of 2025. The central issue revolves around Ferrari’s performance. While the team has had its ups and downs in recent years, they have produced cars capable of winning races, something that Mercedes has struggled with since the introduction of new regulations in 2022. However, if Ferrari’s performance in 2025 proves to be uncompetitive, it could force Hamilton to reconsider his position. Hamilton has expressed a desire to compete at the highest level, and if he finds himself struggling with a Ferrari that is unable to deliver the results he expects, he might decide to leave the team.
At 40 years old, Hamilton is entering the final phase of his F1 career and will want to maximize his chances of winning races and securing another championship before retirement. If Ferrari is not competitive enough to provide him with those opportunities, he might explore other options or choose to retire. While this scenario remains unlikely, it is one that could shape his decision at the end of the 2025 season.
Ultimately, the 2025 season will be a crucial one for Hamilton, both in terms of his performance against Leclerc and in his search for a car that can compete for the championship. If Ferrari delivers a competitive car, Hamilton could thrive in the new environment, but if they fall short, it could prompt him to rethink his future in Formula 1.
