Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari for the 2025 season of Formula 1 has been one of the biggest breaking stories in all of motorsport. But now, developments have been leading to discussions about whether the seven-time World Champion joined Ferrari too late in his career. Piero Ferrari, son of the legendary team founder Enzo Ferrari, addressed these concerns lately, dismissing the fears that age or recent performance gaps would harm Hamilton’s chance of success at the Italian team. It all started following an unusually slow lap time by Hamilton during a Pirelli tyre test in Barcelona earlier this week, quite some laps behind his new teammate Charles Leclerc. Though the test was under non-competitive conditions, the published times by Pirelli offered a glimpse into early dynamics between Hamilton and Leclerc.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks a new chapter in his storied career. After 12 seasons with Mercedes, where he won six of his seven World Championships, the British driver signed a multi-year contract with Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season. His arrival at Maranello was met with immense enthusiasm, with Hamilton receiving a warm welcome from the team and fans alike.
However, the transition has not been without its challenges. During a Testing of Previous Car (TPC) session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last month, Hamilton suffered a heavy crash, causing significant damage to the car. The incident delayed Leclerc’s running, leaving the Monegasque driver unable to take to the track that day.

This week’s Pirelli tyre test provided another opportunity for Hamilton to familiarize himself with Ferrari’s machinery. While the test focused on developing tyres for the 2026 season, the lap times revealed an intriguing narrative. On the first day, Hamilton edged out Leclerc by 0.130 seconds, posting a fastest lap of 1:15.930. However, Leclerc responded emphatically on the second day, finishing 1.788 seconds quicker than his teammate.

Pirelli emphasized that the lap times were not indicative of true performance, as Ferrari and McLaren were running different programs. Nevertheless, the data fueled speculation about Hamilton’s ability to adapt to his new environment.

Piero Ferrari’s Confidence in Hamilton

But nothing seems to sway Piero Ferrari from his loyalty towards Hamilton. The 79-year-old vice chairman of the firm was quick to shut down talk about the driver’s age and recent woes saying, “I think him being so lively gives sufficient proof and supports that he shall be successful.”.
True, but he is intact,” Piero Ferrari said when asked if Hamilton’s move to Ferrari had come too late in his career. “He is fit, both physically and mentally. I don’t see age as a problem. He accepted the challenge with enormous enthusiasm, and he is confident of his chances.

With his current woes at Mercedes, Hamilton being out-qualified by his teammate George Russell for many races has raised doubts that the British driver has finally lost a step. However, the words of Piero Ferrari say otherwise. It seems Scuderia remains very committed to getting Hamilton back into his best shape.

The Challenge Ahead

Hamilton’s signing with Ferrari comes at a crucial time for the team. Ferrari has not won a World Championship since 2008, and the pressure to end that drought is immense. Team principal Fred Vasseur has said Ferrari will have a “completely new” approach with the SF-25 car, which will feature major design changes, including a new pullrod front suspension layout and a reworked gearbox and sidepods.
Former Mercedes engineer Loic Serra, who moved to Ferrari in October, leads the development of the SF-25. In fact, many believe that close ties between Hamilton and Serra, who came from Mercedes along with him, played a large role in attracting the driver to Ferrari. Other sources also credit Serra and his team to be on the same page with Hamilton regarding their skepticism of the zero-pod concept Mercedes pursued for two straight seasons before bailing out.

However, it is far from smooth sailing for Hamilton as he joins Ferrari. There have been reports that the Briton has struggled to adapt to the Brembo brakes used by Ferrari, and the team has apparently made considerable adjustments to the pedals between the tests at Fiorano and Barcelona.

Team Dynamics and Title Ambitions

Preparation for the 2025 season is underway at Ferrari, which has the tough job of dealing with two star drivers. While Hamilton and Leclerc should be on equal footing at the start of the season, team orders may apply if one of them gets significantly ahead early on in the campaign.
Former F1 driver turned Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle warns that Ferrari will expect Lewis Hamilton to be completely up to speed by the third race of the season at Suzuka, little room for error as the team is going to mount a serious title challenge.

Ferrari has decided to change the SF-25 completely for the last season of the current regulations. It is the commitment of the team to win. The 2024 season was one of the most competitive in recent times, with Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren claiming multiple victories. Ferrari is going for a more aggressive approach in developing the car, hoping that it will help them gain the upper hand against their competitors and deliver Hamilton the eighth title he so desperately craves.

Conclusion

Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari is a gamble for the driver and the team. Even though he has aged and recently been in questionable form, Piero Ferrari still believes in him, and so does the Scuderia, which believes he still has the goods to do the job at the top level.
When the 2025 season rolls in, all eyes will be on Hamilton and Leclerc, who form one of the most formidable driver pairings on the grid. It remains to be seen whether Hamilton can rise to the challenge and lead Ferrari back to glory, but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher.

With a new car, a new teammate, and a new chapter in his career, Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari promises to be one of the most compelling stories in Formula 1 history.