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Lewis Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari in the 2025 F1 season is nothing short of revolutionary. With his Ferrari debut at the Australian GP and a stunning Sprint win in Shanghai, Hamilton, alongside new teammate Charles Leclerc, is redefining the Scuderia’s future. Despite strategic missteps and technical setbacks, the performance of the SF-25 and Hamilton’s relentless drive promise a resurgence in Ferrari’s title challenge, signalling a bold comeback in F1.
From Silver to Scuderia – a bombshell announcement
Lewis Hamilton sent shockwaves through Formula 1 when, in early 2024, he announced his departure from Mercedes after 12 years to join Ferrari for the 2025 season. The seven-time world champion admitted it was the hardest decision of his career—but he knew it was time to start a new chapter. Hamilton described the move as a childhood dream come true, recalling how he once watched Michael Schumacher dominate in red and imagined himself embraced by the Tifosi. With his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, being Ferrari’s rising star, one of the most intriguing driver pairings in recent memory was set in motion. Even the Mercedes camp couldn’t help but remark on the surreal sight of Hamilton donning Ferrari red after so many years in silver.
Settling in Maranello – new colours, new dynamics
Adapting to life at the Scuderia meant more than just changing his race suit. Hamilton quickly began influencing Ferrari’s car development behind the scenes. He pushed for pedal modifications after early tests and embraced Ferrari’s renowned Brembo braking system—a notable shift from his old setup at Mercedes. By January 2025, fans flocked to Fiorano to witness Hamilton behind the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car for the first time. For his part, he started picking up Italian phrases, albeit clumsily, to blend with the team’s Italian soul.
All eyes, of course, turned to the dynamic between Hamilton and Leclerc. While Leclerc had long been hailed as the team’s bright hope, the addition of a legendary champion meant that the pressure was on. The two shared public smiles and optimistic soundbites at Ferrari’s launch, yet their on-track rivalry soon tested their budding partnership as the season began with a mix of promise and chaos.
Melbourne misfortune – a rainy debut down under
Hamilton’s debut race in Ferrari red came at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix—a highly anticipated start that quickly turned into a rollercoaster. Despite encouraging pre-season tests, Ferrari struggled to extract the car’s full pace in Melbourne. In qualifying, Leclerc and Hamilton managed only seventh and eighth positions. Then, on race day, a sudden late shower turned the event into a strategic gamble. Ferrari made a bold, if misguided, call by keeping both drivers out on slick tyres when rain hit on lap 44. For a brief moment, Hamilton even led the race while Leclerc climbed into the top three as rivals pounced on early pit stops.
“I didn’t even know the wet settings for the car,” Hamilton admitted, as he wrestled with a skittish SF-25 around a drenched Albert Park circuit. The strategy ultimately backfired: when Ferrari finally called them in for intermediates, both drivers had fallen back to finish ninth and tenth. A race that offered a fleeting glimpse of glory ended in frustration—Hamilton later mused that a slightly earlier pit stop might have changed the conversation entirely. Despite the setback, both drivers salvaged what they could: Leclerc managed a recovery to eighth, while Hamilton clinched the final point in tenth.
Sprint king in Shanghai – a taste of triumph
If Australia was a damp squib, the following race weekend in China delivered a much-needed morale boost. At the Shanghai International Circuit, Hamilton stole the show in the first Sprint event of 2025. On Friday, he stunned everyone by grabbing pole position in the new “Sprint Shootout” qualifying. Then, on Saturday, he converted that pole into his maiden Sprint win in Ferrari red. Although it was only a 100-kilometer dash rather than a full Grand Prix, the symbolism was huge: Hamilton proved that he could still win with his new team, and the SF-25 showed competitive pace against top rivals like McLaren and Red Bull.
The victory was celebrated with delight, as fans reveled in the prospect of a revived Scuderia. Team boss Vasseur even hailed the drive as “vintage Lewis in a red car.” However, Sunday’s main event at the Chinese Grand Prix would soon turn those cheers into groans. Starting fifth on the grid, Hamilton hoped to build on his Sprint momentum, but chaos struck on lap one. In a tussle for space into Turn 1, Hamilton and Leclerc clashed, leaving Leclerc’s car with a damaged front wing. Although the incident was minor, it set an ominous tone. Hamilton’s pace dropped suddenly—partly due to overnight setup changes—and his gamble on a two-stop strategy didn’t pay off. Despite a burst of fastest laps on fresh tires, Hamilton ultimately finished in a distant sixth place, later describing the race as “terrible” for him.
Double disqualification drama in China
Just when it seemed like the Shanghai weekend might be turning around, post-race inspections delivered a final cruel twist. Hours after the checkered flag, the stewards disqualified both Ferrari drivers from the Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton’s SF-25 had failed a skid block wear check—its plank was slightly below the minimum thickness—while Leclerc’s car was found to be under the minimum weight by one kilogram after fuel drain. In one fell swoop, Ferrari lost all the points earned that weekend. The double disqualification was a harsh blow that erased Hamilton’s hard-fought recovery drive and Leclerc’s top-five finish, severely denting Ferrari’s standings.
Progress report – speed, development, and those pesky pitfalls
Three races into 2025, Hamilton’s Ferrari adventure has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. On one hand, he’s shown flashes of brilliance—a Sprint win, a brief stint leading a Grand Prix in Australia, and a pole position in Shanghai. His invaluable feedback is already beginning to shape the SF-25’s development, as even small changes like pedal adjustments and refined tire warm-up procedures have helped the car perform better on race day.
Yet, old habits die hard. Ferrari’s ongoing strategic errors and operational missteps have cost Hamilton more points than any lack of pace. The slick-tire gamble in Melbourne turned a potential podium into a single point, while questionable setup changes in China contributed to his disqualification. There’s no doubt that Ferrari has given Hamilton a competitive car, but the execution still lags behind the precision he once enjoyed at Mercedes.
Can Hamilton turn Ferrari’s fortune?
Despite the early-season turbulence, Hamilton remains upbeat and true to his trademark humor. When asked about the challenges, he grinned and remarked, “Rome wasn’t built in a day… we’re just going to build on this.” The seven-time champion is fully aware that transforming Ferrari back into a title-winning force is a monumental task—but he’s embracing it head-on. His calm leadership, combined with his knack for extracting every ounce of performance from the car, offers a glimmer of hope.
Crucially, the SF-25 has proven it has the speed to challenge the best. Its one-lap performance is impressive, and on race day it can mix with the dominant teams when strategy isn’t a hindrance. If Ferrari can tighten up their operational wrinkles—perhaps even invest in a new calculator for the pit wall—Hamilton might soon find himself regularly contending for Grand Prix victories.
In a light-hearted moment, Hamilton joked about lending his personal lucky charms to the strategy team, quipping, “I’ve got seven championship trophies at home—I’d be happy to lend one for luck on Sundays!” The humour reflects his resilient spirit, and while the mood in the Ferrari garage is understandably tense, the optimism is palpable. Leclerc has publicly backed his new teammate, and Hamilton’s fans are already donning red, hopeful that better days are on the horizon.
Final lap: hope, humour and high Stakes
The story of Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari has delivered everything one might expect: excitement, unpredictability, and a dash of chaos. Amid the strategic misfires and technical snafus, there are real signs that this partnership can bear fruit. If Ferrari can simply get the execution right—calling the correct pit stops and avoiding self-inflicted wounds—the combination of Hamilton’s brilliance and the prancing horse’s raw power could prove formidable.
The 2025 season is still young, and although the road has been bumpy, Hamilton’s relentless drive and optimism promise a thrilling comeback. With a twinkle in his eye, he’s hinted that when Ferrari finally gets it right, he’ll be standing on the top step, giving the Tifosi plenty to cheer about. And who knows—if the strategy calls start to click, Lewis Hamilton might just see red in the best possible way: spraying champagne in Ferrari overalls on his road to an eighth world title!
