As the dust settles on Max Verstappen’s fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship, chatter about the Dutchman’s future rivals has ignited, and former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde has a bold prediction: Lewis Hamilton could be the one to dethrone Verstappen in 2025.
Hamilton’s Resurgence: A Killer Instinct Rekindled
Van der Garde’s claim comes amidst speculation surrounding Hamilton’s upcoming move to Ferrari after wrapping up his illustrious stint at Mercedes. Despite piloting a notoriously inconsistent W15 this season, Hamilton has showcased flashes of brilliance, including two Grand Prix victories and a stunning charge to P2 in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
For Van der Garde, this renewed fire in Hamilton’s performances signals a driver ready to reenter the championship fight:
“Now I actually saw the Lewis Hamilton I wanted to see. Now you see another killer, and that he is actually the only one who can handle Verstappen.”
Race Pace vs. Qualifying Woes
While Verstappen has continued to set the benchmark, Hamilton has proven he still possesses the race-day tenacity that once made him untouchable. Van der Garde pointed out that Hamilton’s vast experience and racecraft remain unmatched, even as age chips away at his qualifying sharpness:
“A race is pure experience, and he still has that race pace. Only in that one lap, you have to make the most of it. And again, as you get older, the sharpness comes off. You just lose one or two-tenths.”
Indeed, Hamilton has struggled in qualifying battles, losing out to his younger Mercedes teammate George Russell 17-5 in head-to-head sessions this year. But Van der Garde insists that when it comes to wheel-to-wheel combat and race strategy, Hamilton is still in a league of his own.
Ferrari’s Wild Card: The Leclerc Factor
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari introduces another tantalizing dynamic. Not only will he face Verstappen, but he’ll also square off against Ferrari’s golden boy, Charles Leclerc—a driver widely tipped as a future world champion. While Leclerc has demonstrated raw speed and undeniable talent, he’ll now have to contend with one of the greatest racers of all time in the same garage.
Van der Garde acknowledged the unique challenge Hamilton will face against the younger Leclerc, who is arguably Ferrari’s most potent weapon:
“Leclerc is no slouch when it comes to F1 and is even seen by many as a future world champion. It’ll be fascinating to see how Hamilton stacks up.”
A 2025 Season to Remember?
If Ferrari can deliver Hamilton a competitive car, Van der Garde sees the 2025 season as an explosive showdown between the seven-time champion and Verstappen, rekindling their epic 2021 battle. With Verstappen still at the peak of his powers and Hamilton rejuvenated by the Ferrari move, F1 fans could witness a clash of titans like never before.
As Van der Garde put it:
“Hamilton still has the fire, and with the right car, he’s the one who can challenge Max. If Ferrari plays its cards right, 2025 could be one for the history books.”
For now, Verstappen remains at the summit, but Hamilton’s looming Ferrari chapter has the potential to rewrite the script and give the Dutchman his fiercest challenge yet.
