Just in:Lewis Hamilton Faces Major Qualifying…read more
Lewis Hamilton Faces Major Qualifying…read more
Lewis Hamilton is gearing up for his highly anticipated switch to Ferrari in 2025, where he will aim to secure an unprecedented eighth Formula 1 World Championship. The British driver has already begun familiarizing himself with Ferrari machinery, having participated in private testing sessions at both Fiorano and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Despite a minor crash during his Barcelona run, Ferrari has downplayed the incident, attributing it to a bump in the track rather than a major error on Hamilton’s part.
With the start of the 2025 season still some time away, speculation is rife regarding Hamilton’s chances of outpacing his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. While some experts believe Hamilton’s experience and racecraft will give him an edge, others, like Dutch racing driver Mike Hezemans, believe the seven-time champion may face a significant obstacle in his pursuit of the title.
Speaking to RacingNews365.nl, Hezemans expressed concerns about Hamilton’s qualifying performances, suggesting that this could be a major weakness compared to Leclerc. “I do think he’s going to get into a big problem in qualifying,” Hezemans said. “Of course, he is still really good in the race. He’s a fighter, and it’s also about how the car suits him and how easy that car is to drive.”
Hamilton struggled with Mercedes’ unpredictable W14 in 2023, a car that was widely regarded as difficult to drive. Hezemans believes that if Ferrari’s 2025 challenger is similarly tricky, Hamilton could face difficulties extracting the maximum from it over a single qualifying lap. Given Leclerc’s reputation as one of the grid’s best qualifiers, this could create a significant gap between the two drivers, potentially impacting Hamilton’s title chances.
However, despite these concerns, others in the F1 paddock remain optimistic about Hamilton’s potential at Ferrari. Sky Sports commentator David Croft believes that 2025 represents Hamilton’s best shot at another title. The competitive order in Formula 1 is currently in flux, and Ferrari has been making steady progress toward closing the gap to Red Bull. If the Maranello-based team produces a strong and consistent car, Hamilton could be well-positioned to fight for the championship.
Hamilton’s ability to adapt to Ferrari’s car will be a crucial factor in his success. While his crash in Barcelona suggests he has yet to find the absolute limit, he has already been working closely with Ferrari’s engineers to understand the car’s weaknesses and help develop it into a title contender. If he can quickly adjust and maintain strong race pace, he may still overcome any qualifying struggles and challenge at the front.
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