Valtteri Bottas believes Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari could be the perfect catalyst to rejuvenate his career. After a challenging end to his Mercedes tenure, the seven-time world champion needed a change, and Bottas thinks a fresh environment in Maranello might be exactly what Hamilton requires.
The 2022 ground-effect era was unkind to Hamilton. Mercedes’ W13 and W14 cars never gave him the confidence he thrived on, and despite a couple of strong performances last season, he never truly looked comfortable. The struggles even led Hamilton to consider walking away from the sport entirely.
Now, as he gears up for his highly anticipated Ferrari debut, Bottas—who spent five seasons as Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes (2017-2021)—has full faith that the Briton will come back stronger in his new surroundings.
“He’s highly motivated for the year. It’s something new and refreshing for him, which can be a good trigger sometimes. But also keen to see how they get on with Charles.”
Can Hamilton and Leclerc Coexist?
Bottas also pointed out that one of the biggest storylines of 2025 will be how Hamilton and Charles Leclerc work together. Ferrari has struggled to manage two star drivers in the past, with Fernando Alonso vs. Felipe Massa, Sebastian Vettel vs. Leclerc, and even Leclerc vs. Carlos Sainz causing friction at times.
Leclerc, a Ferrari loyalist since 2019, was expected to be the long-term leader of the Scuderia. But now, Hamilton’s arrival shifts the dynamic. Will Ferrari allow both drivers to compete equally? Or will Hamilton, given his seven-time champion status, gain priority if he fights for the title?
Bottas Returns to Mercedes in a New Role
While Hamilton embarks on his Ferrari adventure, Bottas returns to Mercedes in a reserve role. His main task? Mentoring teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli, who is being groomed as a future Silver Arrows driver.
Despite stepping away from full-time racing, Bottas remains optimistic about Mercedes’ future:
“Of course, I hope that Mercedes can be in the fight for the championship, which is everyone’s target over here.”
Can Mercedes Challenge Ferrari and Red Bull?
With Hamilton now at Ferrari, the question remains: Where does this leave Mercedes?
- Red Bull is still the dominant force with Max Verstappen.
- McLaren has emerged as a serious challenger in recent years.
- Ferrari now has two top-tier drivers in Hamilton and Leclerc.
On paper, Mercedes doesn’t look like a title favorite. But if Red Bull or McLaren falter, and if the Brackley-based squad makes significant gains with the W16, Bottas believes they could be back in the fight sooner than expected.
As Formula 1 prepares for the season opener in Melbourne, all eyes will be on Hamilton’s Ferrari debut, Mercedes’ recovery, and whether this “refreshing environment” will propel Hamilton back to his best.
