Lewis Hamilton Could Be Frustrated as Mercedes....

Lewis Hamilton Could Be Frustrated as Mercedes….read more

Lewis Hamilton may find himself frustrated upon hearing the latest rumors surrounding Mercedes’ 2025 Formula 1 car. After struggling for nearly three years in the ground-effect era, Mercedes appears to have finally solved the performance issues that have plagued their cars. However, the breakthrough may have come just a little too late for Hamilton, who had already decided to leave the team in search of a new challenge with Ferrari.

Since the controversial conclusion of the 2021 season, Hamilton has been determined to reclaim his place at the top of the sport. Unfortunately for the seven-time world champion, Mercedes failed to deliver a consistently competitive car over the past three seasons. While he remained hopeful and trusted the team’s assurances that improvements were on the way, those promises ultimately fell short. The frustration on both sides became increasingly evident, leading to Hamilton’s decision to depart.

Despite Mercedes’ struggles, Hamilton and his teammate George Russell shared a relatively smooth relationship on and off the track. However, with Hamilton now in a Ferrari and Russell leading Mercedes, their battles in the coming season could take on a new level of intensity. While Hamilton will want to prove himself at his new team, Russell will be eager to establish himself as Mercedes’ number-one driver and justify the team’s faith in him.

Mercedes’ Potential Breakthrough

Recent reports from Motorsport Netherlands suggest that there are “positive sounds” coming from Mercedes’ Brackley headquarters. While the team has chosen not to host a traditional launch event for their 2025 challenger, the W16, they will still unveil their new colors at a ceremony in London next week. The car will then make its on-track debut in Bahrain on February 25, just a day before pre-season testing begins.

This marks a departure from Mercedes’ usual approach, as they have typically conducted their initial shakedown at Silverstone. However, this change may hint at their confidence in the car’s readiness. Early feedback from the simulator has reportedly been encouraging, with Russell said to be “very pleased” with the car’s handling. Of course, simulator performance doesn’t always translate to real-world success, but Mercedes’ engineers are believed to have identified and addressed key weaknesses from last year’s car.

One major improvement is that the W16 has reached the minimum weight limit of 800kg (without fuel), a critical factor in performance. Reducing weight effectively provides “free” lap time, giving the car a natural speed boost. If these rumors prove true, Mercedes could finally be in a position to fight at the front again.

Could Hamilton Regret His Move to Ferrari?

If Mercedes does indeed take a significant step forward in 2025, Hamilton could be left wondering what might have been. After years of waiting for the team to return to its dominant form, seeing them make a breakthrough just after his departure would undoubtedly be frustrating. The worst-case scenario for Hamilton would be Mercedes leapfrogging Ferrari in the competitive order, making his move seem ill-timed.

However, that outcome is far from guaranteed. Ferrari has been making strong progress of its own, and the upcoming 2026 regulation changes could shake up the pecking order once again. Hamilton has reportedly felt “immediately comfortable” in Ferrari’s SF-25, despite a recent accident in Barcelona. He is set to drive the car at Fiorano before pre-season testing, giving him a chance to further familiarize himself with his new machine.

Meanwhile, Mercedes appears to be moving on from Hamilton’s departure. At a recent launch event for their partnership with Adidas, journalists were reportedly barred from mentioning Hamilton’s name. However, once team principal Toto Wolff made a reference to him, the media quickly followed suit. This suggests that, while Mercedes is eager to focus on the future, Hamilton’s legacy within the team remains a major talking point.

A Fascinating 2025 Season Ahead

Regardless of how the rumors play out, the upcoming season promises to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari is one of the biggest moves in F1 history, and the rivalry between him and Mercedes will be closely watched. If Mercedes has indeed made a breakthrough, Russell will have the opportunity to lead the team back to success. But if Ferrari delivers a race-winning car, Hamilton could finally have the chance to end Max Verstappen’s dominance.

With pre-season testing just around the corner, fans won’t have to wait long to see how the grid shakes out. Whether Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes will prove to be a masterstroke or a missed opportunity remains to be seen.