Tension is mounting at Ferrari as they prepare for the Formula 1 testing, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in the spotlight. The internal dynamics between these two championship contenders could prove challenging, even before the testing begins.
Hamilton, a seven-time champion, shocked the racing world by leaving Mercedes after a 12-year stint, to join Ferrari. He will now be racing alongside Leclerc, a 27-year-old still chasing his first world championship.
Ewan Gale, a reputed motor racing expert, commented on the situation during the Total Motorsport F1 Show. He indicated that Ferrari’s strategy to present Hamilton as their star player is a clear sign of their priorities.
Gale referenced Ferrari’s clever marketing move during Hamilton’s introduction at their Maranello headquarters. He explained, “They were very strategic with Lewis standing in front of the windows adorned with their titles. It was a smart marketing move from Ferrari, which was reiterated at the F1 75 Live show where Lewis was the star attraction, receiving the most applause.”
Gale also suggested that Ferrari’s focus will be primarily on Hamilton, regardless of Leclerc’s success this season. He said, “The attention will be on Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time champion. He is now a part of the Ferrari dream team of F1.”
This view was echoed by Brandon Sutton, another F1 expert from Total Motorsport, who emphasized Hamilton’s market value for Ferrari. Sutton pointed out that Ferrari’s stock increased by £7bn when they signed Hamilton. He asserted, “From a financial perspective, Ferrari has already gained what they wanted from him. The question now remains if he can maintain his speed.”
Ferrari struggled with consistency during the 2024 season, with both Leclerc and Carlos Sainz securing two victories each but finishing third and fifth respectively in the Drivers’ Championship. Hamilton, who finished seventh, might have a better chance this year due to the more consistent performance of the Ferrari car.
Gale commented on Hamilton’s previous struggles with the car and the tyres, and how the more consistent Ferrari might aid his performance. He said, “The Ferrari has been more dependable in terms of performance than the Mercedes, so it will be interesting to see if Hamilton can adapt to that and find a workaround.”
The focus is also on the strong performance of Ferrari towards the end of the last season. Gale noted, “People often overlook how strong Ferrari was towards the end of the last season. While it may seem like it was a Red Bull title fight, it was Ferrari pushing McLaren.”
With Ferrari entering the new season in good form, the question remains if this will provide Hamilton with a strong platform to start the season and challenge Leclerc. As Gale concluded, “How this dynamic will work out will be fascinating to watch.”
