F1 NEWS: Lewis Hamilton Under Pressure as Ferrari Reveals Team Orders Stance…read more
Lewis Hamilton Under Pressure as Ferrari Reveals Team Orders Stance
Lewis Hamilton is under immediate pressure at Ferrari, with reports suggesting that the team may implement early-season team orders in the 2025 Formula 1 season. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the opening races will be crucial in establishing the pecking order within Ferrari’s driver lineup. Initially, Ferrari is expected to treat Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc as equals, but if one driver begins to emerge as a more promising championship contender, the team may prioritize that driver in their pursuit of the title.
This decision on how Ferrari manages the Hamilton-Leclerc dynamic is expected to be pivotal in shaping the team’s championship aspirations. The report suggests that the early races of the season could be decisive in establishing a new hierarchy within the team, which will place significant pressure on Hamilton to deliver strong performances right from the start.
Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, has weighed in on the situation, noting that Hamilton’s adaptation to his new environment at Ferrari will be key to his championship chances. Horner emphasized that if Hamilton can perform well early in the season and win the support of Ferrari’s passionate fanbase, the Tifosi, it could reignite his competitive spirit and put him back on track for another title challenge. Horner acknowledged that while Hamilton is getting older, his competitive qualities remain, and his success will largely depend on whether he can find the motivation to perform at his best in a new setting.
Despite this, Horner also highlighted the challenges of having two highly competitive drivers on the same team. The presence of both Hamilton and Leclerc in the Ferrari lineup could lead to internal competition, with each driver potentially taking points off the other. As Horner pointed out, Ferrari will have to support both drivers, but this can sometimes cause division within the team as they strive for a shared objective. It’s a situation that Ferrari will need to manage carefully to avoid any disruptions to their championship hopes.
Ferrari’s team principal, Frédéric Vasseur, has addressed the matter of team orders in the past and reiterated his approach to managing Hamilton and Leclerc. Vasseur has made it clear that Ferrari’s main goal is to win as a team, and that both drivers will be given equal treatment at the start of the 2025 season. However, Vasseur also acknowledged that circumstances may change as the season progresses. If one driver emerges as the stronger contender, the team will not hesitate to make decisions that favor their chances of success.
Vasseur explained, “There’s a clear situation, it’s the same everywhere – we have two very good drivers, and both of them are capable of doing the job.” He further added that Ferrari would ensure both drivers receive the same car, the same structure, and the same support. But he was also firm in his belief that Ferrari’s overarching target is to win with the team, and if that requires taking action to favor one driver,
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