Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari stands as one of many defining narratives of the 2025 season, with followers eagerly anticipating that his presence may restore the Scuderia’s former glory.
The Maranello crew has been chasing one other Drivers’ Championship ever since Kimi Räikkönen clinched the title in a dramatic finale on the São Paulo Grand Prix in 2007, profitable by a single level. Sarcastically, the driving force he narrowly defeated in that battle was none apart from Lewis Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton responded by securing his first title in 2008 whereas Ferrari claimed the Constructors’ Championship. What adopted was a dominant period for the Briton at Mercedes, throughout which he amassed six extra titles, equaling Michael Schumacher’s file of seven.
Now, as he embarks on his Ferrari journey, Lewis Hamilton is chasing an eighth title—one that might propel him past Michael Schumacher and cement his legacy as probably the most profitable driver in System 1 historical past. Attaining such a milestone can be notably exceptional provided that he would have carried out so with three totally different groups and throughout 4 distinct technical laws.
Whereas a lot of the thrill across the British driver’s Ferrari swap revolves round the potential for one other championship, former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari has advised that profitable races is just not the first purpose behind the transfer. Talking on the After Lap podcast, he solid doubt on whether or not Lewis Hamilton is actually in Maranello to struggle for victories.
Turning 40 in January, Hamilton is now probably the most skilled drivers on the grid, with retirement inevitably drawing nearer as most rivals step away from the game by their mid-30s.
His last years at Mercedes have been marked by a irritating downturn in efficiency, and his transition to Ferrari represents a possibility for a contemporary problem.
In response to Alguersuari, Lewis Hamilton’s present part in F1 is much less about relentless pursuit of victories and extra about embracing the game otherwise. Not like Max Verstappen or Fernando Alonso, who proceed to face immense strain to ship outcomes, Lewis Hamilton, in Jaime Alguersuari’s view, is now able to race with a distinct mindset—one which isn’t solely fixated on profitable.
The Spanish former racing driver, broadcaster and DJ, who competed in System One from 2009 to 2011, remarked that now Hamilton is at Ferrari, he doesn’t imagine the British driver is there to win. As an alternative, he advised that Hamilton’s focus is extra on having fun with the expertise, including that he may even be contemplating retirement as it’s approaching.
Alguersuari noticed that Hamilton seems very relaxed and engages in different actions exterior of racing. He famous that Hamilton doesn’t view being outpaced by Leclerc as a catastrophe, in distinction to drivers like Fernando Alonso, for whom not profitable can be catastrophic. Jaime Alguersuari additionally identified that Hamilton’s method is totally different from Max Verstappen’s, as Hamilton doesn’t spend hours on the simulator when issues aren’t going his manner, as a substitute sustaining a extra relaxed perspective and working on a distinct stage.
Does Lewis Hamilton really feel the strain to win titles at Ferrari?
On the floor, it might appear that Hamilton has nothing left to show in System 1, contemplating his unparalleled file. He holds the all-time data for wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202), which may recommend that his place within the sport is safe.
Nonetheless, his transfer to Ferrari is pushed by a want to rekindle the aggressive fireplace that continues to burn inside him. At 40 years previous, Hamilton, like Fernando Alonso, who stays a fierce competitor at 43, has no household obligations which may in any other case weigh on him. Which means he stays free to pursue his ardour for racing with none extra pressures.
Off the monitor, the British driver has already set himself up for all times past System 1, with quite a few enterprise ventures in place. But, regardless of his future being secured, his legacy within the sport could be very a lot on the road with this new chapter on the Italian aspect beginning with the 2025 F1 marketing campaign.
Lots of the earlier technology’s high drivers, together with Sebastian Vettel and Alonso, have tried and didn’t carry the Scuderia again to championship glory. Now, Hamilton represents the final remaining hope for a driver from that period to safe one other title for the crew.
Whether or not this comes with vital strain stays to be seen because the season unfolds. Nonetheless, it’s clear that Hamilton didn’t be a part of Ferrari merely to get pleasure from a last, leisurely stint within the sport. As an alternative, he’s absolutely dedicated to pushing for fulfillment, decided to make his mark with the crew earlier than contemplating a attainable exit.
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