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Lewis Hamilton Given Three-Race Deadline as Ferrari Team Orders Speculation Grows
Lewis Hamilton has been warned that he will have a maximum of three races to adapt to life at Ferrari at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle believes the seven-time World Champion must quickly find his rhythm, despite already demonstrating his value to Ferrari, who are reportedly paying him a $57 million salary.
Early Team Orders a Possibility?
A report from Italy suggests that Ferrari is willing to implement team orders between Hamilton and Charles Leclerc early in the season. The team is eager to maximize its chances of securing its first championship title since 2008, and if one driver establishes a clear performance advantage in the opening races, a hierarchical order may be set within the team.
The 2025 season is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent years. The final year under the current regulations could see Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, and reigning Constructors’ Champions McLaren all vying for the title, following a 2024 season where multiple teams secured race victories.
At the start of the campaign, Ferrari intends to give both Hamilton and Leclerc equal opportunities, launching a dual attack beginning with the season opener in Australia on March 16. However, the first few rounds of the season could play a crucial role in determining the internal team hierarchy, especially if one driver consistently outperforms the other.
Pressure Mounts on Hamilton
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has made it clear that he will not shy away from making difficult decisions regarding team orders if necessary. Since taking charge in December 2022, Vasseur has emphasized that strategic choices will be made in the team’s best interest.
This speculation increases the pressure on Hamilton, who admitted at the end of the 2024 season that he was “not fast anymore” after struggling in qualifying against Mercedes teammate George Russell. Given his high-profile move to Ferrari, Hamilton must deliver strong performances early in the season to avoid being relegated to a supporting role for Leclerc.
With expectations soaring and competition at its peak, Hamilton faces a critical challenge: proving that he can still fight at the front and securing his place as Ferrari’s leading driver before internal team dynamics take shape.
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