Breaking: Lewis Hamilton warned of Ferrari challenge he cannot ‘underestimate.
Lewis Hamilton received a caution from an important Max Verstappen supporter regarding the difficulty of transitioning to Ferrari after his recent departure from Mercedes. During his inaugural test in a Ferrari F1 car at the Fiorano track, Hamilton completed approximately 30 laps on Wednesday. This transition to Ferrari signifies only the second team change in his illustrious career. The first occurred back in 2013 when he moved from McLaren to Mercedes—a choice that propelled him into becoming one of Formula 1’s all-time great drivers.
Hamilton’s achievements with Mercedes over the last 12 years are remarkable, having secured seven World Championships. He matched Michael Schumacher’s long-standing record of seven titles in 2020 and made history by surpassing 100 race wins and pole positions in the subsequent year—becoming the first driver to reach these milestones. Despite his impressive track record, Hamilton is still motivated to win an eighth World Championship—a goal yet unmet following a controversial loss to Max Verstappen during the dramatic conclusion of the 2021 season when Verstappen claimed his inaugural championship title.
Giedo van der Garde, a former F1 driver and a trusted associate of Verstappen, has advised Hamilton about the challenges he might encounter in transitioning to Ferrari. Van der Garde raced briefly for the now-defunct Caterham team in 2013 and has closely followed Verstappen’s progression through racing tiers. He cautioned that adapting to Ferrari could pose unexpected difficulties for Hamilton because of the cultural and operational differences from Mercedes.
Van der Garde noted that Ferrari’s “passionate Italian approach” contrasts significantly with Mercedes’ operational style. He also remarked that Hamilton will have to acclimate to a new engineer and team mentality, which may require some time for adjustment. Having recently turned 40, Hamilton now faces the challenge of blending his experience and achievements with Ferrari’s unique working environment and culture.
Van der Garde’s advice underscores the significant challenge Hamilton will encounter as he transitions to a new team after spending over ten years with Mercedes. Although Hamilton is unquestionably one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, his success at Ferrari could depend on how well he adapts to their system and establishes chemistry with his new teammates. Whether or not this aids him in continuing his legacy and chasing that elusive eighth title remains to be seen. The 2025 season marks a fresh chapter in Hamilton’s career, brimming with possibilities but also considerable obstacles.
