Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is one of the most highly anticipated transfers in Formula 1 history, but not everyone is convinced the seven-time world champion will have a smooth ride in Maranello. Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger believes Hamilton might face an uphill battle against Charles Leclerc—especially when it comes to raw speed.
The 40-year-old joins Ferrari after two difficult seasons at Mercedes, where frustration over an uncompetitive car pushed him to seek new challenges. While Hamilton aims to reignite his title hopes, Leclerc isn’t about to roll out the red carpet for his new teammate.
According to Berger, Hamilton might need to “grit his teeth” if he hopes to establish himself as Ferrari’s top driver.
“He’ll have to grit his teeth again at Ferrari and could well be at his best once more. On the other hand, I think he’ll struggle against Leclerc’s speed. It’s going to be a very tight race.”
Why Berger Believes Hamilton Faces an Uphill Battle
While Hamilton remains one of the greatest drivers of all time, Berger pointed out two major reasons for his struggles in recent years:
- Mercedes’ declining competitiveness – The Silver Arrows haven’t been consistent race winners since F1’s new regulations took effect in 2022.
- A needed change of scenery – After over a decade with Mercedes, Berger believes Hamilton had reached a stagnation point and needed new motivation.
“He has had two problems: the Mercedes has only been a winning car on exceptional occasions, and he has now been in the same team for so long that only a change of scenery will help.”
While the switch to Ferrari brings fresh energy, it also presents a unique challenge—beating Charles Leclerc in his own backyard.
Will Ferrari Give Hamilton a Title-Winning Car?
Hamilton’s biggest hurdle won’t just be Leclerc—it will be Ferrari’s ability to deliver a title-contending machine.
While Ferrari showed flashes of brilliance in 2023, the Scuderia must find consistency to take the fight to Red Bull and McLaren.
Hamilton is certainly rejuvenated by the switch, but the real test will be whether Ferrari’s SF-25 is capable of ending Max Verstappen’s dominance.
As the 2025 season looms, the battle lines within Ferrari are already being drawn. Will Hamilton rise to the occasion, or will Leclerc cement his status as Ferrari’s number one?
One thing is certain—this will be one of the most intense intra-team battles of the modern F1 era.
