Hamilton will have “no apology” for 2025

The machine is finally on the way, Lewis Hamilton arrived in Maranello and made his first laps at the wheel of a single horse single -seater in front of a horde of tifosi who again proved that it was one of the most Big transfers in history F1, even motorsport.

“These are two of the biggest names of the 75 years of history of Formula 1”said Martin Brundle, commentator for Sky Sports and former F1 pilot. “Some may say that it is the two biggest names, Ferrari and Hamilton, who meet. Lewis all dressed in red, the scarlet of the prank horse.”

In addition to the struggle for the various world championships which may be tight, the craze around the 2025 season is also a lot on this new chapter of Hamilton's career. A virgin page that only asks to be covered with ink and in which many have put their hopes, in particular the fans of the Scuderia.

“He had all his time at McLaren, then at Mercedes”added Brundle. “It is only his third team in Formula 1. and he will want to show that despite his 40th anniversary, he is not on the descending slope, as some said last year. He wants to show that he made the right decision.

“It's a bit of a challenge, because he has to speak in a different language, understand the way this team works. He left behind Bono, his famous engineer, and Mercedes' comfort, so it will not be so easy, and that's why I think he recalled Angela [Cullen] And his manager Marc Hynes, to form a team around him. “

Lewis Hamilton's 2024 campaign was not the best in his career, on the contrary since he recorded his worst result in the pilot championship with eighth place. The Briton notably had trouble in the exercise of qualifications, often behind compared to his teammate George Russell.

Although this new adventure at Ferrari enchants most motor sports fans, some keep the memory of the few errors from Hamilton last year, who sometimes even cost him a victory, as during the Las Vegas Grand Prix where his tenth Place in qualifying has somehow allowed his neighbor's neighbor to win the race. However, many see Lewis Hamilton reborn from his ashes when he puts on the red combination.

“I think speed is [encore] To be”explained Brundle. “Is the best of Lewis Hamilton in front or behind him? I think he is behind him. I think he has lost his advantage with age, it's natural. Sometimes he finds himself in Batts he no longer wins as he did before, or he makes a mistake in qualifying. “

“But I think that even 96-97% of Lewis Hamilton in a winning car is still sufficient, he has experience. And as I said, I think his energy, his enthusiasm will be invigorated by all this experience, And it will not be overwhelmed by the conduct of a Ferrari as so many pilots have been. 'love. [Cela ne fait qu’un jour] And they already love it. They applauded him when he won with a Mercedes. “

One of the biggest obstacles that will stand between Hamilton and a potential eighth world champion title in 2025, not to mention other favorites such as McLaren or Max Verstappen pilots, will be his new teammate Charles Leclerc. For Brundle, the excuse of the adaptation will only work for the British and he will quickly have to put himself in the bath to try to beat the Monegasque on his own playground: the team that saw him grow For seven years.

“He must use his experience”said the commentator. “There are no excuses at this level. Even beginners [n’ont pas d’excuses]but they can be given half a season as much as they are raised. For someone like Lewis, we expect two or three races, he has mastered his environment and the car. “

“You should never underestimate Lewis Hamilton, but Charles Leclerc is fast, there is no doubt. And he stopped having accidents, because he used to overcome himself in the car and To touch the wall a little too often. [Hamilton] Risk of taking a hell of a beating. Really.”

Avec Oleg Karpov