As Lewis Hamilton embarks on his debut season with Ferrari, he faces a fresh set of challenges that could determine his ability to compete with team-mate Charles Leclerc. The seven-time world champion joined the Maranello team on a multi-year contract after 12 years with Mercedes, a move that marked the end of an era.
Hamilton’s final season with Mercedes in 2024 was a mixed one: he secured two victories but found himself outperformed by George Russell, finishing behind his teammate in both race results and qualifying.
The Key to Success: Qualifying
One of the major hurdles Hamilton will have to overcome at Ferrari is adapting to the new car. According to Bernie Collins, a former Aston Martin strategist, much of Hamilton’s success will hinge on mastering qualifying.
“He’s never driven a Ferrari engine, so really simple things like how the engine works, how the modes work, how the harvesting works, how the deployment works, they’re all different,” Collins noted during the Red Flag podcast. “There are going to be big differences in the car that’s going to be a challenge for Lewis.”
Ferrari’s unique approach to engineering and its distinct team culture will also pose obstacles. For Hamilton, transitioning from a team built around him at Mercedes to a fresh environment could prove difficult.
Still, Collins believes Hamilton will rise to the challenge. However, he cautioned that qualifying performances will be pivotal for Hamilton’s success in race day decision-making.
Pit Box Mistakes and Adjustments
Another area of concern is Hamilton’s tendency to make rookie mistakes. He famously stopped in the wrong pit box during his 2013 race with Mercedes, a mistake that could be mirrored as he adjusts to Ferrari’s pit stops.
Collins acknowledged that Hamilton would need time to adapt to these “instinctive reactions” but remains confident that his drive and determination will help him overcome these hurdles.