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Hamilton’s Ferrari move is a gift that keeps giving

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Martin Brundle discussed the significant transition of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari, highlighting the challenges and opportunities he faces as he embarks on this new chapter in his career. The move has already generated massive attention, with Hamilton’s first appearance in Ferrari’s iconic red livery becoming an instant social media sensation, amassing 5.4 million likes. Brundle emphasized that this partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari is one of the most anticipated in the sport’s history, as it unites two of F1’s most legendary names.

Hamilton, now 40 and entering his third team after stints at McLaren and Mercedes, is determined to prove he is still capable of competing at the highest level. Brundle noted that Hamilton’s goal is to demonstrate he’s not past his prime and made the right decision by joining Ferrari. Despite his age, Brundle believes Hamilton’s experience and renewed motivation will help him approach the challenge with energy and ambition.

However, Brundle acknowledged the difficulties Hamilton will face in adjusting to Ferrari’s distinct environment. He pointed out that Ferrari has a different internal culture, systems, and language, and Hamilton is leaving behind his established comfort zone at Mercedes, along with his long-time race engineer Peter Bonnington (“Bono”). To ease the transition, Hamilton has brought along trusted personnel, including former physiotherapist Angela Cullen and manager Marc Hynes.

An additional challenge for Hamilton will be competing alongside Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s established star. Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari for seven years, has an in-depth understanding of the team’s inner workings, which could give him a significant advantage as Hamilton integrates into the team. This dynamic will add another layer of complexity to Hamilton’s adjustment period.

Brundle also touched on the question of whether Hamilton can still perform at his peak. While acknowledging that Hamilton was sometimes outpaced by his teammate George Russell in recent seasons, Brundle dismissed the notion that Hamilton’s best years are behind him. He pointed to Hamilton’s strong performances at Silverstone and Spa in 2024, and even though he believes Hamilton’s peak is past, Brundle argued that 96-97% of a motivated Hamilton in a competitive car is still enough to contend for victories.

The rivalry between Hamilton and Leclerc is likely to be a major storyline in 2025, with both drivers potentially taking points off each other, making the championship battle more unpredictable. Brundle noted that if both drivers are equally matched, they could hinder each other’s title prospects, similar to the internal rivalry at McLaren between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Looking at the wider F1 landscape, Brundle predicted that the 2025 season could be one of the most competitive in recent history, with teams like Ferrari and McLaren continuing to improve. While Max Verstappen remains the favorite, Brundle stressed that until the cars hit the track in Melbourne, it’s impossible to know which team has the upper hand. He also expressed concern about Red Bull’s internal turmoil and whether they can regain the performance they had earlier in the 2024 season.

Brundle concluded by acknowledging the unique challenges Ferrari poses for any driver, emphasizing that racing for Ferrari is more than just driving for a team—it’s representing a nation. Despite the added pressure, he believes Hamilton will rise to the occasion, making his Ferrari move one of the most exciting storylines to follow in F1. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Hamilton as he aims to make his mark in what could be the defining chapter of his illustrious career.