The 2025 Formula 1 season is just around the corner, and all eyes are on Lewis Hamilton as he prepares to don Ferrari’s iconic red racing suit for the first time. For the seven-time world champion, this high-profile move comes on the heels of a disappointing final season with Mercedes—a year that left fans and pundits questioning whether the 39-year-old still has the magic that made him a legend.
2024: A Season to Forget
Hamilton’s final year with Mercedes was anything but smooth. The W15 proved a handful, and teammate George Russell outshone the veteran in nearly every metric. Russell outqualified Hamilton 19-5 and outraced him 13-7. While both drivers managed one win each, Hamilton’s victory at Spa was marred by Russell’s disqualification due to a weight irregularity.
Former F1 driver David Coulthard didn’t pull punches when evaluating Hamilton’s 2024 struggles. Speaking to The Mirror, Coulthard called Hamilton the season’s “biggest disappointment”:
“I know that’s controversial as he’s a seven-time world champion and a real winning machine, but I’ve never seen this Lewis in Formula 1. He was beaten in qualifying, while the greats can always find speed somewhere to squeeze out a qualifying lap when it really matters.”
Ferrari: A New Chapter or a Last Roll of the Dice?
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was announced early in 2024, generating a wave of excitement that even sent Ferrari’s stock price soaring. The signing was seen as a bold gamble by team principal Frédéric Vasseur, who has a long-standing relationship with Hamilton. But as Hamilton’s struggles at Mercedes unfolded, questions arose about whether Ferrari’s high-profile investment might backfire.
Coulthard acknowledged the concerns but struck an optimistic note:
“Formula 1 remains a sport that is very dependent on data. The stopwatch doesn’t lie, and at the moment it just doesn’t deliver in terms of lap times. So they have to worry a little bit. But sometimes change is also good.”
The Scot likened Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari to “Superman putting on his suit,” suggesting the allure of Ferrari’s legacy and its red racing suit might rejuvenate the Briton.
Why Hamilton Could Still Shine at Ferrari
While the 2024 season exposed cracks in Hamilton’s dominance, Ferrari offers a fresh slate—and potentially, a more competitive car. Ferrari’s SF-25 project is said to focus on addressing the weaknesses that plagued its 2024 campaign, particularly in tire management and one-lap pace.
Moreover, Hamilton’s wealth of experience and hunger for an elusive eighth championship could make him a formidable force in Maranello’s stable. Ferrari, too, benefits from his stature, both as a driver and a global brand, which could energize the team and its fanbase.
The Ferrari-Russell Parallel
Hamilton’s struggles with Russell in 2024 offer both a cautionary tale and a benchmark. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s golden boy, has been hailed as one of the grid’s best qualifiers, and going toe-to-toe with him could be as daunting as Hamilton’s duel with Russell.
If Hamilton adapts quickly to Ferrari’s machinery, the dynamic between him and Leclerc could become one of the most compelling rivalries on the grid. If not, the move risks tarnishing his legacy.
A Defining Season Awaits
Coulthard summarized the stakes perfectly:
“Ferrari’s shares shot up so fast that they have probably already eliminated all the costs of bringing in Lewis… But it will be an exciting time anyway.”
For Hamilton, 2025 represents more than just a career change—it’s a chance to remind the world why he’s one of the greatest drivers in F1 history. Whether the red suit will transform him into a resurgent force or expose the limitations of an aging champion remains one of the sport’s most tantalizing storylines.