As Ferrari prepares for a new era with Lewis Hamilton set to join in 2025, concerns have emerged over whether Mercedes’ recent struggles will affect the Scuderia’s progress.
However, Ferrari’s head of chassis performance, Loic Serra, remains unshaken, dismissing fears that any difficulties Hamilton faced at Mercedes will carry over to Maranello.
With Hamilton making the bold switch after more than a decade at Mercedes, expectations are high for him to help Ferrari return to title-winning form. But some question whether Mercedes’ recent downturn in competitiveness might indicate a broader issue—one that could make its way into Ferrari when Hamilton arrives.
Serra, however, is adamant that Ferrari is on its own trajectory and will not be impacted by whatever struggles Hamilton endured at his former team.
Ferrari’s Own Development Path
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Hamilton’s move has been whether his experience at Mercedes—especially during their recent seasons of inconsistency—will affect how he integrates with Ferrari. However, Serra has been quick to dismiss any concerns, stating that Ferrari operates independently and is building its own future.
“There is no reason to think that anything happening at Mercedes will affect us,” Serra said. “We are on our own path, focused on continuous development, and Lewis will be stepping into a team that is ready to move forward.”
Ferrari has been steadily improving in recent years, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz securing podiums and victories despite Red Bull’s dominance. The team believes it is well-positioned to challenge for championships again, and Hamilton’s arrival is expected to be a boost rather than a complication.
Hamilton’s Experience: A Strength, Not a Weakness
While some critics worry that Hamilton’s last few seasons at Mercedes—where the team struggled to match Red Bull’s pace—could negatively influence Ferrari, Serra sees it differently. He believes Hamilton’s experience will be an asset, particularly in terms of understanding how to extract performance from a car under challenging circumstances.
“Lewis is a seven-time world champion, and you don’t achieve that without being adaptable,” Serra explained.
“What he brings is not just speed, but an incredible understanding of how to work with a team and push development forward.”
Hamilton has worked with some of the best engineers in the sport and has played a key role in Mercedes’ past successes. Ferrari is counting on him to bring that same level of technical input to Maranello, helping refine their car development approach.
Keeping the Focus on Ferrari’s Strengths
Despite Hamilton’s high-profile arrival, Ferrari insists that their focus remains on their own strengths and long-term development plan. Serra highlighted that while Hamilton’s expertise will be welcomed, Ferrari is not planning to change its entire philosophy based on a single driver’s preferences.
“We have a strong structure in place, and we are confident in our approach,” Serra stated. “Of course, Lewis’ input will be important, but our goal remains the same: to build a car capable of winning races and championships.”
This approach is crucial in ensuring team stability, especially with Leclerc remaining a key part of Ferrari’s future. The team must balance integrating Hamilton’s feedback while maintaining a consistent direction that benefits both drivers.
Lessons from Mercedes’ Struggles
Although Ferrari is distancing itself from Mercedes’ recent difficulties, there are lessons to be learned. Mercedes dominated Formula 1 for nearly a decade before slipping behind Red Bull in the current regulation era. Understanding what led to their decline could help Ferrari avoid similar pitfalls.
Serra and the Ferrari technical team are paying close attention to the mistakes made by their rivals. If Mercedes’ downfall was due to flawed car concepts or internal struggles, Ferrari will want to ensure they don’t make the same missteps.
Hamilton’s insights will be valuable in this regard, as he has firsthand knowledge of how Mercedes handled their decline. His experience could help Ferrari identify potential weaknesses before they become major issues.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As Ferrari prepares for the arrival of one of the most successful drivers in F1 history, the team remains focused on its own goals rather than external narratives. While some may speculate that Hamilton’s recent seasons at Mercedes indicate a decline, Ferrari sees his move as a step toward strengthening their championship credentials.
With Red Bull currently leading the pack, Ferrari knows that to challenge for the title, they need to execute flawlessly. Serra and the team are confident that with Hamilton and Leclerc in the driver lineup, they have all the pieces necessary to return to the top of Formula 1.
Now, the focus shifts to how well Hamilton adapts to his new environment and whether Ferrari can provide him with a car capable of fighting for an eighth world title. If everything aligns, 2025 could mark the beginning of a new golden era for Ferrari.