Breaking News: Lewis Hamilton given ‘grit his teeth’ warning after ‘two problems’ at…read more
Lewis Hamilton given ‘grit his teeth’ warning after ‘two problems’ at…read more
Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger has offered insights into Lewis Hamilton’s recent transition from Mercedes to Ferrari, highlighting challenges the seven-time World Champion may face. Berger, who secured five Grand Prix victories during his tenure with Ferrari, believes Hamilton encountered “two problems” at Mercedes last season and will need to “grit his teeth” to excel alongside Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.
Hamilton’s illustrious career with Mercedes spanned over a decade, during which he clinched six of his seven World Championships. However, recent seasons have been less fruitful. In 2022, significant technical regulation changes led to the Mercedes W13 car suffering from porpoising issues, rendering it challenging to drive. Hamilton frequently experimented with car setups to aid development but finished the season without a race win or pole position for the first time in his career, placing sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, behind teammate George Russell. The 2023 season saw continued struggles, with Hamilton finishing third in the standings and securing only a single pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix. By 2024, despite a mid-season resurgence that ended a 31-month winless streak with a victory at the British Grand Prix, Hamilton concluded the season seventh in the championship, again trailing Russell. These challenges, coupled with difficulties adapting to the W15 car’s characteristics, contributed to his decision to seek a new environment.
Berger elaborated on Hamilton’s challenges at Mercedes, stating: “He has had two problems: the Mercedes has only been a winning car on exceptional occasions, and he has now been in the same team for so long that only a change of scenery will help.” This perspective suggests that both the car’s performance limitations and the stagnation from a prolonged tenure with one team influenced Hamilton’s move.
Transitioning to Ferrari, Hamilton aims to secure a record-breaking eighth World Championship. However, Berger anticipates a fierce internal competition between Hamilton and Leclerc, Ferrari’s established driver. He remarked: “He’ll have to grit his teeth again at Ferrari and could well be at his best once more. On the other hand, I think he’ll struggle against Leclerc’s speed. It’s going to be a very tight race.” This internal rivalry could be pivotal in determining the team’s success in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
The move has elicited varied reactions within the Formula 1 community. Former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone expressed skepticism, suggesting Hamilton might not fulfill his two-year contract with Ferrari. Ecclestone commented: “I’m not sure he’ll even see out the two years of his contract. He has a lot of enemies there.” He also questioned Hamilton’s motivation, stating: “Lewis might think he can walk over Charles, but he can’t. And I don’t know how he will cope with that.”
Conversely, Carlos Sainz, who departed Ferrari to make way for Hamilton, believes the British driver has a strong chance of contending for the title. Sainz stated: “I think there’s a high chance Lewis will be fighting for the championship this year. Ferrari have been working hard, and with Lewis’s experience, they can be a strong combination.”
As the 2025 season approaches, anticipation builds around Hamilton’s performance with Ferrari. The dynamics between him and Leclerc, combined with Ferrari’s efforts to deliver a competitive car, will be crucial factors in the unfolding championship narrative.
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