F1 News:Lewis Hamilton Under Pressure as Ferrari's Team... read more

F1 News:Lewis Hamilton Under Pressure as Ferrari’s Team… read more

With the 2024 Formula 1 season underway, Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari in 2025 is already under scrutiny. Fresh reports suggest that the Italian team has a firm stance on team orders, potentially creating early challenges for the seven-time world champion. As he prepares to leave Mercedes after 12 seasons, Hamilton will join Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, a team that has historically managed driver hierarchies with a clear strategy.

Ferrari’s Team Orders Approach Sparks Debate

According to sources within the paddock, Ferrari has a structured approach to team orders, which could impact Hamilton’s position within the team. With Leclerc having signed a contract extension earlier this year, speculation is mounting that Ferrari could prioritize the Monegasque driver over Hamilton in key race situations.

Ferrari has a long history of enforcing team orders when necessary, dating back to the Michael Schumacher era and continuing with drivers like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. If Hamilton finds himself in a secondary role, it could hinder his chances of securing an elusive eighth world championship.

Will Hamilton Adapt to Ferrari’s System?

Hamilton has spent most of his career as a team’s undisputed lead driver, first at McLaren and then at Mercedes, where he built a dynasty with multiple championships. Ferrari, however, operates differently, often making decisions based on long-term strategy rather than individual driver preferences. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur has reiterated that the team’s focus remains on winning titles, but how that philosophy will be applied to Hamilton and Leclerc remains uncertain.

With Ferrari consistently backing a single driver in past title fights, Hamilton could find himself needing to earn equal treatment rather than assuming priority status. If Leclerc remains the team’s focal point, Hamilton may face his toughest political battle in years.

Internal Rivalry Brewing?

Leclerc has been Ferrari’s main championship hopeful since joining the team in 2019, and he will not give up his status easily. The young driver is immensely popular within Ferrari and has worked closely with the team to develop their car over the years. His long-term contract signals that Ferrari views him as their future.

Hamilton, however, brings unmatched experience and a championship-winning pedigree. If both drivers are competitive, Ferrari may be forced into difficult decisions regarding team orders and race strategies. Managing two elite drivers with championship ambitions has historically led to tensions within teams, as seen in Hamilton’s previous rivalry with Nico Rosberg at Mercedes.

A Crucial Season Ahead

As the 2024 season unfolds, every move Ferrari makes will be analyzed for signs of favoritism. If Leclerc enjoys clear team support this year, it could indicate how Ferrari plans to manage Hamilton in 2025. The British driver’s arrival is expected to elevate Ferrari’s title ambitions, but whether he will be given equal status remains a key question.

Hamilton’s Ferrari chapter is yet to begin, but the early signals suggest that he may face unexpected challenges. If team orders become a decisive factor, his quest for an eighth world title could be more complicated than anticipated.