The moment Lewis Hamilton made the earth-shaking decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari, one question loomed large: Would the seven-time world champion be given equal status to Charles Leclerc, or was he walking into a team that would ultimately prioritize their long-time Monegasque star?
Now, as the 2025 season approaches, the warnings are growing louder. Hamilton may have just “two or three races” to prove he still has the speed to fight for wins—or risk being relegated to a support role at Ferrari.
A Ruthless New Hierarchy at Ferrari?
For years, Ferrari has been Leclerc’s team. Despite a revolving door of teammates—Sebastian Vettel, Carlos Sainz—the Scuderia has always backed the young star as their long-term project. Now, with Hamilton in the garage, the Italian media is already speculating that the Briton could face an uphill battle.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari’s new “hierarchical order” will be determined by the early races. If Hamilton cannot immediately match Leclerc’s pace, the team could move swiftly to prioritize their homegrown talent in the championship fight.
And the numbers don’t favor Hamilton. In his final season with Mercedes, he struggled significantly in qualifying, losing the Saturday battle to George Russell in 18 of 24 races. Under the current ground-effect regulations, his once-dominant one-lap prowess has looked compromised—something Ferrari will not tolerate for long.
Brundle’s Warning: “Two or Three Races” to Prove Himself
Former F1 driver-turned-pundit Martin Brundle has echoed these concerns, warning Hamilton that he has no time to find his footing at Ferrari.
“He’s got to do that. He’s got to use his experience,” Brundle told Sky Sports News. “There are no excuses at this level for anybody, even the rookies. But you might give the rookies half a season to get their act together, maximum.”
With Ferrari’s championship ambitions sky-high, Brundle believes Hamilton has only a handful of races to establish himself.
“They will expect somebody like Lewis to have aced the people around him and the car within two or three races, to be honest.”
That brutal assessment underscores the urgency of the situation. If Hamilton doesn’t hit the ground running, he could find himself locked out of Ferrari’s title plans before the season even reaches its midway point.
But Can You Ever Write Off Lewis Hamilton?
For all the doubt surrounding him, Hamilton still carries an aura of resilience. At 40 years old, he remains one of the most formidable competitors in Formula 1 history.
Brundle himself offered a stark reminder to those counting Hamilton out:
“Never underestimate Lewis Hamilton.”
While his final Mercedes season was one of frustration, it also had flashes of brilliance—his victories at Silverstone and Spa showed that when the car was competitive, Hamilton could still deliver under pressure.
If Ferrari gives him a machine capable of fighting for wins, dismissing Hamilton could be the biggest mistake the F1 world makes in 2025.
Vasseur’s Role: Hamilton’s Ally or Enforcer?
One factor working in Hamilton’s favor is his long-standing relationship with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, who managed him during his GP2 championship-winning campaign in 2006.
But while Vasseur and Hamilton share history, the Frenchman is first and foremost a ruthless operator—someone who will not hesitate to impose team orders if necessary.
Back in 2022, when Ferrari was juggling Leclerc and Sainz, Vasseur made his stance on prioritizing one driver crystal clear:
“There will be no number one and number two, but if at one stage we have to take action then we will take action.”
Ferrari’s priority is winning—not nostalgia, not personal relationships. If Hamilton is in the title fight, he will get the backing. But if he lags behind Leclerc in those crucial early rounds, the team will not hesitate to make him the second driver.
The Clock is Ticking
With the 2025 season fast approaching, Hamilton’s Ferrari legacy will be defined within the first few races.
If he can shake off his qualifying struggles and go toe-to-toe with Leclerc, he could spearhead Ferrari’s championship charge. If not, the Scuderia may see him as nothing more than an experienced wingman for their golden child.
Will Hamilton prove the doubters wrong and conquer Ferrari on his own terms? Or has he walked into a Leclerc-dominated future where he’s just another number two?
The answer will come faster than anyone expects.
