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Ferrari’s 2025 Title Hopes in Doubt: Hamilton “Past His Peak” and Leclerc “Not There Yet”

Hamilton Joins Ferrari: A New Era Begins

Lewis Hamilton has officially joined Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season, ending a 12-year stint with Mercedes. The seven-time World Champion’s time with the Silver Arrows saw him secure six titles and 84 race victories, solidifying his place among F1’s greatest. Now swapping silver for Ferrari’s iconic red, Hamilton aims to claim his elusive eighth World Championship and cement his status as the most successful driver in F1 history.

However, Ferrari’s last Drivers’ Championship came in 2007, and questions linger about whether the Scuderia’s new pairing of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc can dethrone Max Verstappen. Team principal Fred Vasseur will have to navigate internal dynamics while aiming for the top spot.

Concerns Over Hamilton and Leclerc’s Championship Potential

Despite Hamilton’s illustrious career, Dutch team boss Frits Van Amersfoort is skeptical about Ferrari’s title chances. He believes Hamilton is “past his peak” and that Leclerc is “not there yet” in terms of challenging Verstappen. Speaking to Motorsport.com, Van Amersfoort said, “Lewis is certainly not old compared to me, but I just believe in young talent. If I were Ferrari, I would have considered signing a younger driver instead of Hamilton.”

While acknowledging Leclerc’s raw speed, he suggested that Ferrari’s team-first culture may have hindered the Monegasque’s ability to establish dominance. Van Amersfoort added that Red Bull’s approach of building their team entirely around Verstappen contrasts sharply with Ferrari’s more political environment, where no single driver is prioritized.

The Hamilton-Ferrari Dynamic: A Potentially Perfect Match

Van Amersfoort also speculated on how Hamilton might adapt to Ferrari’s unique culture. He noted that Ferrari’s more emotional and passionate atmosphere could suit Hamilton, who is known for his charisma and flamboyant personality. “Lewis will be in a warmer and more emotional environment at Ferrari,” he said. “This might be a better fit for him compared to the structured and somewhat rigid setup at Mercedes under Toto Wolff.”

While Wolff’s leadership at Mercedes was instrumental in Hamilton’s success, Van Amersfoort believes Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur’s more relaxed style could offer a refreshing change for the Briton. However, the political complexities within Ferrari may still pose a challenge for Hamilton’s championship ambitions.

Ferrari’s Team-First Approach: A Double-Edged Sword

One of the key issues highlighted by Van Amersfoort is Ferrari’s longstanding tradition of prioritizing the team over individual drivers. Unlike Red Bull, where Verstappen enjoys undisputed No. 1 status, Ferrari’s egalitarian approach often leaves drivers competing for supremacy within the team.

“Ferrari is a political swamp,” Van Amersfoort remarked. “At Red Bull, Verstappen and his team have built the team around him. That level of support simply doesn’t exist at Ferrari. It’s always about the team first, and that has, at times, worked against drivers like Charles Leclerc.”

He added that Leclerc has the raw talent to match Verstappen but lacks the tailored environment to maximize his potential. “Max and Charles are just as fast, but Charles is held back by Ferrari’s team dynamics,” Van Amersfoort concluded.

Can Hamilton and Ferrari Break the Championship Drought?

For Hamilton to achieve his eighth title, he must succeed where other greats like Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso failed—winning the Drivers’ Championship with Ferrari. With Verstappen and Red Bull dominating, Hamilton and Leclerc face an uphill battle in 2025.

Ferrari’s ability to adapt its team culture, alongside leveraging Hamilton’s experience and Leclerc’s potential, will determine whether they can end their championship drought. However, as Van Amersfoort suggests, Ferrari’s internal challenges may continue to hinder their quest for glory.