Helmut Marko, Red Bull advisor, has recently stated that Charles Leclerc showcased a superior performance compared to his Ferrari teammate, Lewis Hamilton, during the F1 2025 pre-season testing in Bahrain. Marko speculates that Hamilton’s drive to win may weaken if he perceives a bleak chance of emerging victorious this season.
Hamilton, one of the most decorated drivers in Formula 1 history, has bid farewell to Mercedes after a 12-year-long tenure and six World Championships. He has embarked on a new journey with Ferrari, aiming to secure a record eighth crown. Joining Ferrari, the most successful team in F1 history, Hamilton aims to end the team’s 18-year championship drought, thereby scripting a historic moment.
However, the dream scenario appears to be deviating from its course post pre-season testing. Reports from Italy suggested that Ferrari’s SF-25 had discovered an additional four-tenths of a second. However, it still failed to match McLaren’s performance. Industry insiders and trackside observations suggest that Ferrari might be falling behind its rivals: McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes.
Following the conclusion of pre-season testing, it was revealed that Ferrari’s technical director, Loic Serra, and his team are optimizing the setup adjustments to strike a balance and reveal the SF-25’s true potential. Gary Anderson, a former F1 technical director, expressed his skepticism about the new Ferrari being a substantial upgrade over last year’s Mercedes W15.
Marko further claimed that Hamilton was slower than Leclerc during testing, despite Hamilton recording the fastest time for Scuderia over the three-day period. He said, “In Bahrain, Leclerc was the much faster one. But that’s normal. He knows the team, he knows the car. Hamilton drove a lot of laps, gradually improved, but was not quite at Leclerc’s level.”
However, Marko, being fully aware of Hamilton’s capabilities, warns against underestimating the seven-time World Champion. He said, “We know that a Hamilton, if the whole environment fits, can improve incredibly.” He added that a small difference in qualifying time could result in a significant change in grid positions due to the closely contested field.
Marko suggests that it’s crucial for Hamilton to match Leclerc in the initial qualifying sessions, but recognizes that it’s no easy task. He also warned that if things didn’t align, Hamilton’s motivation may wane, despite his extraordinary ability to make dramatic improvements.
Marko concluded, “He went to Ferrari of his own volition. He was looking for this new challenge and I think he will do everything he can to ensure that his expectations are met. However, if the factors don’t fit together, he sees no chance of winning, that he then loses some of his motivation.”
Hamilton and Ferrari will be put to the test next weekend as the F1 juggernaut moves to Australia for the first round of the F1 2025 World Championship.
