Just In: Ferrari ‘regretful over Lewis Hamilton agreement’ as Mercedes driver re…read more
Ferrari ‘regretful over Lewis Hamilton agreement’ as Mercedes driver re…read more
In the lead-up to the 2025 Formula 1 season, Ferrari may be second-guessing their decision to sign Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes, replacing Carlos Sainz. According to former F1 driver Robert Doornbos, Sainz’s impressive performances in 2024, especially in recent races, might have Ferrari questioning whether they made the right move.
Hamilton’s shift from Mercedes to Ferrari is set to be one of the most talked-about transfers in F1 history. Initially, the seven-time world champion had signed a one-year extension with Mercedes, but soon after, the news broke that he would be joining Ferrari for 2025. This move saw Carlos Sainz, who has been with Ferrari since 2021, being pushed out of the team. While Hamilton’s name and accomplishments bring excitement, Sainz’s 2024 season has been a demonstration of consistency and skill, raising doubts about Ferrari’s decision.
In the latest F1 event in Texas, Sainz delivered a stellar performance, finishing second behind Lando Norris and ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen. This marked Sainz’s sixth podium of the season, solidifying his status as one of the top drivers of the year. His ability to handle pressure and outperform big names like Verstappen was evident throughout the race.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton had a disappointing outing in Texas. The British driver spun off the track and ended his race in a gravel trap, leading to his second retirement of the season. The Texas Grand Prix added to a string of challenging races for Hamilton, who has failed to secure a podium finish in his last five outings. Although he had a strong mid-season, capturing victories at Silverstone and Spa, the final races of the year have not been favorable to him.
Despite his struggles, Hamilton remains ahead of his younger teammate, George Russell, in the Drivers’ Championship. However, the comparison to Sainz’s form is what has raised eyebrows. Doornbos, in his analysis, suggested that Ferrari might be feeling uneasy about their upcoming change. He highlighted Sainz’s recent performance in Austin as proof that the Spanish driver is currently in top form. “Sainz drove an incredible race in Austin,” Doornbos said. “He has shown he’s capable of outperforming the best, and that makes Ferrari’s decision to bring Hamilton on board somewhat puzzling.”
Hamilton’s upcoming switch to Ferrari was initially met with a mix of excitement and skepticism. On one hand, the Italian team is banking on Hamilton’s experience and his ability to drive a team forward, traits that led him to seven world titles. On the other hand, Sainz’s results in 2024 suggest that Ferrari may already have had the talent they needed.
Doornbos pointed out that from Hamilton’s perspective, the Austin race results could be seen as promising, as Ferrari has shown signs of competitiveness. However, he also noted that Ferrari’s management might be having second thoughts about letting go of Sainz in favor of Hamilton. “Why did we decide to replace Sainz with Hamilton when Carlos is delivering so well?” Doornbos mused.
The decision to replace Sainz with Hamilton was undoubtedly made with the long term in mind, as Ferrari hopes Hamilton’s leadership and expertise will bring them closer to championship contention. Nevertheless, if Sainz continues to outshine his competition in the final races of 2024, the pressure on Hamilton to perform will only grow as he takes on the Ferrari challenge.
As the season draws to a close, the spotlight will be on both Hamilton and Sainz. For Ferrari, it’s a waiting game to see if their gamble will pay off, or if Sainz’s consistent performances will make them question the wisdom of their high-profile recruitment. With just a handful of races remaining, each performance will be scrutinized, and the stakes are higher than ever for the drivers involved in this historic
F1 transition.
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