Why Lewis Hamilton’s Final Mercedes Season Would Be a Successful First at Ferrari
If Lewis Hamilton can replicate his performances from his final season at Mercedes in F1 2025, then he is set for a strong debut year at Ferrari. That is the view of former F1 driver turned pundit Anthony Davidson, who has cautioned fans against expecting immediate domination from the seven-time World Champion.
F1 2024: A Good Enough Season for a Ferrari Debut?
Hamilton knew well before the start of the 2024 season that it would be his last at Mercedes—the team where he made history, winning six of his seven world championships and setting records such as the most F1 wins (105), poles (104), and podiums (202). With a multi-year deal already signed with Ferrari for 2025, the anticipation was immense.
However, his final year with Mercedes was far from ideal. While he enjoyed the highs of returning to victory at Silverstone and adding a second win at Spa, his qualifying struggles against teammate George Russell were a glaring concern. The 19-5 defeat in the one-lap battle raised eyebrows, as did Hamilton’s own admission in Qatar that he was “definitely not fast anymore.”
Hamilton even admitted that he considered walking away from Mercedes immediately after a disappointing Brazilian Grand Prix. Such confessions only fueled speculation that Ferrari might have blundered by choosing Hamilton over Carlos Sainz.
Why Hamilton’s 2024 Performance Sets a Solid Base for Ferrari
Despite these struggles, Davidson insists that Hamilton’s 2024 performances would be a solid foundation for his Ferrari debut—even if that assessment doesn’t sit well with Hamilton’s fans.
“The cars were pretty evenly matched last year, with Ferrari arguably having the upper hand,” Davidson said while speaking to RN365. “But Mercedes did win races, and Lewis drove brilliantly at Silverstone. A strong first year at Ferrari would mean replicating what he did at Mercedes in his final season.”
Ferrari’s Expectations: Winning Immediately or Building Momentum?
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari brings an entirely new culture, new machinery, and an extremely fast teammate in Charles Leclerc. Many believe that Ferrari’s golden boy will be a formidable benchmark, especially in qualifying, where he is regarded as one of the quickest drivers on the grid over a single lap.
Davidson believes Hamilton will be happy if he can out-qualify Leclerc in a fair share of races. But when it comes to race-day performance, he fully expects Hamilton to match or even surpass Leclerc.
“He’ll be happy out-qualifying Leclerc in a good handful of races,” Davidson added. “But I expect him to match Leclerc’s race pace—and perhaps be even better, thanks to his experience. Lewis’ ability to manage tyres instinctively has always given him strong race-day performance.”
Fred Vasseur’s Perspective: Race Day Matters Most
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur has been unwavering in his support for Hamilton, repeatedly emphasizing that it’s race-day results that count, not just qualifying performances.
When questioned about Hamilton’s struggles in 2024, Vasseur reminded everyone of Hamilton’s outstanding race pace, particularly his recovery from P10 to P2 at the Las Vegas GP.
“First of all, we know that points are scored on Sunday,” Vasseur told Sky Sports News. “We saw this in 2023, where we were among the best in qualifying but struggled in races. We need to focus on race execution.”
He also highlighted Leclerc’s growth in tyre management and race strategy, stressing that Ferrari must maintain this momentum in 2025. But there’s no doubt that Hamilton’s vast experience will bring an additional layer of strategic mastery to the team.
The Psychological Battle: Hamilton vs. Leclerc
A fascinating subplot of Hamilton’s Ferrari move is the psychological warfare that will unfold between him and Leclerc. Unlike his battles with Russell at Mercedes, Hamilton will now share a garage with a driver who is already an established leader within the team.
Leclerc is adored by Ferrari fans, and the team has largely been built around him. But Ferrari didn’t sign Hamilton just for fun—they believe he can deliver championships. The dynamics between these two ultra-competitive drivers will be crucial in defining Ferrari’s season.
If Hamilton struggles against Leclerc early on, the pressure will be immense. Ferrari fans are not known for their patience, and if Leclerc proves to be decisively quicker, some may even question why Hamilton was given a seat in the first place.
Can Hamilton Lead Ferrari to Championship Glory?
Despite all the skepticism, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is still a dream scenario for many fans. The most successful driver in F1 history at the most legendary team in motorsport—it’s the stuff of fairytales.
If Ferrari delivers a car capable of fighting for wins, Hamilton will be in contention for title number eight. However, he will need to overcome both internal and external challenges: adapting to a new team, beating Leclerc, and dealing with the relentless expectations from Ferrari’s passionate fanbase.
A successful first year at Ferrari doesn’t necessarily mean winning the championship. It means proving that Ferrari was right to take the gamble on him. If he can replicate his 2024 season, iron out his qualifying weaknesses, and consistently challenge Leclerc, then his first year in red will be a victory in itself.
The question is: Can Hamilton handle the heat of Maranello? One thing’s for sure—it’s going to be one of the most thrilling storylines in F1 history.
