Lewis Hamilton is on the point of starting a brand new chapter in his illustrious profession, getting ready to make his race debut with one of the crucial iconic groups in System 1 historical past as he strains up on the grid for the season opener in Melbourne.
Expectations are excessive as Lewis Hamilton embarks on this problem with Ferrari, a group the place reaching what he goals for has not been completed in over half a century. His arrival in Maranello carries vital weight, as he makes an attempt to safe a historic eighth world championship—one thing no driver has ever achieved.
At 40 years outdated, the British driver is defying the standard age limits of F1 success. If he manages to assert one other title, he won’t solely surpass Michael Schumacher’s long-standing document but additionally develop into the primary driver since Jack Brabham in 1966 to win a championship at this stage of his profession. It’s a feat that will cement his legacy even additional, proving that have and ability can nonetheless conquer youth within the fashionable period of System 1.
With Ferrari exhibiting robust competitiveness on the finish of the earlier season, Sky Sports activities commentator and F1 skilled David Croft believes that 2025 might current Hamilton together with his finest alternative to win one other title. The regulation adjustments set for 2026 are anticipated to disrupt the present hierarchy, making this season probably the final likelihood to capitalize on a longtime pecking order earlier than the game undergoes a serious reset.
When discussing whether or not Hamilton faces further strain to ship, former Dutch racing driver Jeroen Bleekemolen shared his ideas with RacingNews365.nl, explaining why the expectations surrounding Lewis Hamilton differ from these confronted by Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel throughout their time at Ferrari.
Why Lewis Hamilton’s strain differs from Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari struggles
The British driver is decided to make sure that his tenure at Ferrari doesn’t mirror these of Vettel and Alonso, each of whom got here shut however in the end didn’t safe a title with the Scuderia. Whereas each drivers arrived with excessive expectations and immense expertise, they left with out fulfilling their championship ambitions, falling brief regardless of a number of near-misses.
In keeping with Jeroen Bleekemolen, the extent of strain Hamilton faces is essentially totally different. Not like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who had unfinished enterprise in F1 after they joined the Maranello group, Lewis Hamilton has already achieved virtually each document attainable within the sport. His legacy is safe, and there’s little left for him to show. As an alternative of combating for validation, Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari is about chasing an bold ultimate problem—one which, if profitable, would solely additional solidify his place within the historical past books quite than outline his profession.
The Dutch skilled racing driver famous that at Ferrari, the strain is at all times immense, because the group faces extreme criticism in the event that they fail to provide a aggressive automotive. He identified that even with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, the group was unable to safe a championship, and regardless of Alonso coming shut twice, his time at Ferrari was in the end thought to be a failure.
He went on to clarify that Hamilton now not must show something, as he’s at the moment the best driver within the sport. In keeping with Jeroen Bleekemolen, the one driver who might probably problem Hamilton’s legacy is Max Verstappen. He advised that even when Hamilton had a poor season and determined to go away System 1, his standing as the best of all time would stay intact. Nonetheless, he additionally believed that whereas Hamilton ought to keep away from placing an excessive amount of strain on himself, his robust motivation might make him unwilling to accept something lower than victory, with second place prone to frustrate him.
The important thing statistic that will solidify Lewis Hamilton’s place among the many biggest drivers in F1 historical past
The Italian aspect will signify the primary occasion in Hamilton’s illustrious F1 profession the place he competes with a group powered by an engine aside from Mercedes. Having debuted in 2007 with McLaren, which utilized V8 engines, Hamilton’s affiliation with Mercedes has been a defining characteristic of his profession.
It’s usually mentioned {that a} true F1 nice is measured by their adaptability and their skill to safe a number of world championships with totally different groups. It is a feat Juan Manuel Fangio exemplified together with his 5 titles throughout numerous producers.
Though Lewis Hamilton has already clinched championships with two totally different groups, successful with a 3rd engine provider, notably one as famend as Ferrari, would undoubtedly cement his standing amongst F1’s all-time greats.
One potential situation that would lead Hamilton to retire sooner than anticipated is that if Ferrari struggles to be aggressive all through the season. Nonetheless, it appears doubtless that Ferrari might supply him a legit shot at capturing his first championship since 2021, conserving his championship aspirations alive.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
