New Ferrari F1 driver Lewis Hamilton faces a difficult battle in opposition to Charles Leclerc within the 2025 F1 marketing campaign, with the seven-time world champion up in opposition to considered one of System 1’s most formidable qualifiers. The previous Mercedes man enters the season after his most tough qualifying marketing campaign so far, the place he was outperformed by George Russell 19-5. The British driver typically struggled to progress into Q3 when the strain was highest, highlighting his difficulties with single-lap tempo.
In stark distinction, Leclerc outperformed his teammate Carlos Sainz in 14 of the 23 qualifying periods they contested, securing three pole positions to deliver his profession tally to 26. This spectacular complete locations him simply exterior the highest 10 all-time qualifiers, tied for eleventh with Mika Hakkinen. An additional 4 poles subsequent season would see him surpass Juan Manuel Fangio and match Nico Rosberg.
Since becoming a member of Ferrari in 2019, the Monegasque driver has constantly outqualified his teammates with a dominant combination rating of 82-45, remaining unbeaten in full-season qualifying battles. This report consists of clashes with the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and the multi-race winner Carlos Sainz, cementing Charles Leclerc’s fame as a standout qualifier. For the British driver, who could also be getting into the twilight of his profession, the problem of dealing with Charles Leclerc at his peak is a frightening prospect.
The Maranello group secured Lewis Hamilton’s providers even earlier than the beginning of the 2024 season, however had his contract been up a yr later, it’s unsure whether or not the group would have made the identical transfer. Nevertheless, System 1 journalist and motorsport skilled Ralf Bach, talking on the F1-Insider YouTube channel, revealed that the seven-time F1 world champion has had candid discussions with Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur about his struggles in qualifying. If Hamilton is ready to pinpoint the reason for his difficulties, he could have an opportunity to handle the problem and enhance his type in 2025. This open communication with the French supervisor, who has an extended historical past of working with Lewis Hamilton within the junior classes, could have performed a key function within the Englishman’s choice to affix the Maranello outfit.
Ralf Bach talked about that Fred Vasseur had been Hamilton’s group boss in each System 3 and GP2, and that the 2 have identified one another for a very long time. The System 1 journalist instructed that the French supervisor possible has no doubts about Hamilton, because the British driver had defined to him exactly the place the problems have been in his qualifying performances at Mercedes.
Almost twenty years in the past, Lewis Hamilton shared with Fred Vasseur his dream of racing for Ferrari. As Hamilton now makes the extremely anticipated transfer to the Scuderia, this might develop into a defining second in Vasseur’s profession as Ferrari’s group principal, shaping his legacy inside the sport.
Hamilton’s profession may have unfolded fairly in a different way, particularly contemplating that is solely the second time in his illustrious 18-year F1 journey that he’s switching groups. A former McLaren colleague revealed that in 2008, Sebastian Vettel practically joined McLaren alongside Hamilton. Had that partnership materialized, Vettel’s presence may need outshone Heikki Kovalainen, probably altering the championship consequence in favor of Felipe Massa.
Quick ahead 4 years, and Hamilton made one other pivotal choice. Leaving McLaren at simply the suitable time, he moved to Mercedes simply because the group was on the cusp of a dominant period, whereas the British group started to wrestle from 2013 onwards.
Now, Lewis Hamilton’s fairy-tale transfer to the Maranello group not solely marks the beginning of a brand new chapter but additionally serves as a tribute to his idol, Ayrton Senna. Had destiny not intervened with Ayrton Senna’s tragic accident, the Brazilian legend may need ended his profession with Ferrari. In 2025, Lewis Hamilton will carry ahead the spirit of his hero as he steps into the enduring purple automotive, embracing a brand new problem within the sport’s most prestigious F1 group.
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