Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is the biggest storyline heading into the 2025 Formula 1 season—but it’s already raising questions about team orders, internal hierarchy, and whether Hamilton can still perform at an elite level.
The seven-time world champion openly admitted that his 2024 struggles at Mercedes left him questioning his speed.
“I’m definitely not fast anymore,” Hamilton conceded after a season where George Russell outperformed him in key races.
Now, Martin Brundle warns that Hamilton won’t have time to slowly adjust to Ferrari’s system.
“There are no excuses at this level for anybody… Ferrari will expect somebody like Lewis to have aced the people around him and the car within two or three races, to be honest.”
Translation? If Hamilton doesn’t deliver early, Ferrari won’t hesitate to back Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari’s Team Orders: Will Leclerc Get Priority?
Ferrari has already hinted at implementing team orders early if necessary. While both drivers are expected to start on equal footing, reports from Italy indicate that the team’s hierarchy will be determined quickly based on the first few races.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur is known for being pragmatic and has never shied away from making tough calls. If Leclerc is faster from the start, Ferrari won’t hesitate to make him the priority in their first legitimate title bid since 2008.
For Hamilton, that means he can’t afford a slow start.
Is Hamilton Still the Same Driver?
At 40 years old, Hamilton is the oldest driver on the grid. While his experience is unmatched, his 2024 struggles raised concerns about whether he’s still at his peak.
Yes, Fernando Alonso is proving that age doesn’t define performance. But Hamilton looked visibly frustrated last season—failing to extract pace from the Mercedes W15, and at times, losing the edge to Russell.
The big question:
Was it just the car, or has Hamilton lost a step?
Ferrari’s 2025 Car: The Ultimate Deciding Factor
Hamilton’s success or failure will ultimately come down to Ferrari’s 2025 challenger, the SF-25.
- Ferrari had serious pace in 2024, nearly beating McLaren to second place in the Constructors’ Championship.
- However, a disastrous mid-season upgrade caused a porpoising nightmare, derailing their momentum.
- If Ferrari fixes those issues and delivers a car capable of winning consistently, Hamilton can absolutely fight for his eighth title.
But if the SF-25 isn’t quick enough, it won’t matter how well he adapts—Ferrari will back Leclerc, and Hamilton could end up playing second fiddle in his debut season.
Can Hamilton Handle the Ferrari Pressure?
Ferrari is not Mercedes. The internal politics, the Tifosi pressure, and the constant media scrutiny in Italy are on another level. Even four-time champion Sebastian Vettel struggled to handle the chaos when Ferrari failed to deliver a title-worthy car.
Hamilton must adapt quickly, prove he’s still elite, and establish himself as the team leader—or risk becoming a supporting player in Leclerc’s title charge.
The First Three Races Will Define Hamilton’s Ferrari Future
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix will be the ultimate litmus test for Hamilton’s new chapter.
- If he’s fast out of the gate, Ferrari will fully back him in the title fight.
- If he struggles, expect Ferrari to shift their focus to Leclerc—especially if Red Bull and McLaren look dominant.
Hamilton’s dream of an eighth world title is still alive. But if he doesn’t hit the ground running, that dream could slip away faster than expected.
