Ferrari have secured the providers of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will be part of Charles Leclerc of their driver lineup for the 2025 System 1 season. Nevertheless, it won’t be lengthy earlier than the Scuderia finds itself again within the driver market.
Charles Leclerc, who has been a fixture at Ferrari since 2019, is a product of the staff’s famend driver academy and has grow to be a beloved determine among the many Tifosi, who contemplate him certainly one of their very own. Until Ferrari experiences a big downturn in efficiency or Charles Leclerc’s relationship with the staff deteriorates, it appears doubtless that he’ll stay with the Scuderia for the prime years of his profession. The uncertainty, nonetheless, revolves primarily round Hamilton’s future.
A lot of the hypothesis surrounding Hamilton’s tenure at Ferrari is tied to his advancing age. Set to show 40 through the low season, Hamilton’s longevity in System 1 stays in query. Whereas Fernando Alonso plans to race till at the least the age of 45, Hamilton might not comply with swimsuit, and his resolution to proceed may rely upon a wide range of components. Moreover, Lewis Hamilton arrives at Ferrari needing to show that his finest years should not behind him. His efficiency this season has been notably disappointing, notably in qualifying, the place he trails teammate George Russell by a substantial margin of 17-5 heading into the ultimate two races.
The explanations for Lewis Hamilton’s struggles stay unclear. It’s potential that the present technology of System 1 automobiles and the distinctive traits of his Mercedes not align together with his driving type, or he could possibly be grappling with a insecurity. Regardless, these challenges elevate issues amongst his supporters, casting doubt on his means to keep up his elite standing.
In the meantime, Carlos Sainz’s future with Ferrari might have been compromised by his actions through the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The staff has made the choice to half methods with Carlos Sainz on the finish of his contract in December to make room for Hamilton. Nevertheless, this transfer shouldn’t be seen as a mirrored image of Carlos Sainz’s efficiency, however somewhat on account of the uncommon alternative to signal certainly one of System 1’s most profitable drivers. There stays a risk that Carlos Sainz may return to Ferrari sooner or later, however his subsequent transfer will probably be essential to sustaining his worth throughout the sport. The Spaniard, who at present earns £9.6 million per yr, might want to impress in his subsequent function, doubtlessly with Williams, with a view to preserve his profession trajectory on the rise.
Regardless of this, Motorsport.com journalists Alex Kalinauckas and Oleg Karpov have raised issues that Carlos Sainz’s relationship with Ferrari may need been strained. On the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz appeared to disregard staff orders when he overtook Charles Leclerc in the beginning of the ultimate stint, a transfer that might have repercussions for his future with the staff. Alex Kalinauckas means that this might jeopardize any potential return to Ferrari, whereas Karpov believes Carlos Sainz has made his scenario extra difficult. Ferrari might select to not contemplate him for future alternatives if he leaves the staff below a cloud of stress, so Carlos Sainz could be clever to fix any rifts with Leclerc earlier than the season concludes in Abu Dhabi.
A key factor of Lewis Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari may make clear his future plans throughout the sport. Regardless of Russell’s superior efficiency this season, Crimson Bull’s Helmut Marko believes Hamilton will nonetheless be an improve over Carlos Sainz. Marko is especially curious to see how Ferrari’s staff principal, Fred Vasseur, manages to keep up concord throughout the staff, given the challenges posed by having two extremely aggressive drivers.
Lewis Hamilton’s efficiency within the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the place he fought again from a disappointing P10 in qualifying to safe a podium end, demonstrated that he nonetheless possesses the flexibility to compete on the highest degree when supplied with a aggressive automotive.
The British driver’s preliminary contract with Ferrari is for 2 years, with the potential of a 3rd if each events agree to increase the deal. This association leaves open the choice for Hamilton to reassess his future with the staff and System 1 usually. With the brand new technical rules already in place, Lewis Hamilton could have the chance to judge Ferrari’s progress and Fred Vasseur might want to decide whether or not the British driver nonetheless has the will and talent to race on the high degree. Whereas Hamilton has not publicly dedicated to a selected retirement date, 2026 or 2027 are the almost definitely home windows for his exit from the game.
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