Why Ferrari may be at an early disadvantage against Mercedes and McLaren in 2025 F1 championship. Why Lewis Hamilton’s old team Mercedes might have a ‘head start’ over Ferrari for 2025 .

Lewis Hamilton is set to begin a fresh chapter in his illustrious Formula 1 career in 2025 as he transitions from Mercedes to Scuderia Ferrari.

During his 12-year tenure with Mercedes, the seven-time world champion amassed six titles and shattered numerous records. However, his final season with the Silver Arrows in 2024 proved to be his most challenging, finishing a disappointing seventh in the championship standings. Despite securing two standout victories at Silverstone and Spa—his first wins since 2021— Lewis Hamilton struggled with consistent performance and pace during qualifying. Now, he looks to leave those frustrations behind as he takes on the challenge of driving for Ferrari, the sport’s most storied team.

Ferrari’s 2024 campaign showed promise, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz delivering five victories, four pole positions, and an impressive 22 podiums combined. The Scuderia narrowly missed out on the Constructors’ Championship, losing to McLaren by just 14 points. Yet, as the season drew to a close, Mercedes and McLaren emerged as stronger contenders. George Russell claimed a commanding win in Las Vegas, while Lando Norris dominated the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari comes at a time when his former team may have positioned itself for a competitive edge in 2025, raising questions about whether the Briton could ultimately regret his decision.

Mercedes and McLaren may hold an advantage going into the new season, thanks to their pioneering use of aero-elastic front wing technology.

Grand Prix editor for Motor Sport magazine, Mark Hughes, has highlighted how Mercedes and McLaren discovered a groundbreaking technical feature in 2024, giving them a distinct edge over Ferrari and Red Bull. This innovation rendered Red Bull’s once-dominant aerodynamic designs obsolete and contributed to their sudden loss of form. Hughes suggests that because Ferrari and Red Bull have yet to adopt this approach, they could find themselves trailing their rivals at the start of the 2025 season.

Mark Hughes explained on The Race F1 Podcast that among the top four teams, McLaren and Mercedes had made significant progress with aero-elastic front wings, which became the dominant technical feature of the season. He noted that this development rendered Red Bull’s previously innovative aerodynamics, including their sophisticated floor design and clever suspension integration, almost obsolete. These elements had been key to Red Bull’s two-and-a-bit years of dominance but were quickly overshadowed by McLaren’s early adoption and Mercedes’ subsequent implementation of the new technology.

Mark Hughes added that neither Ferrari nor Red Bull chose to follow this approach, potentially putting them at a disadvantage unless they adapt depending on how the FIA regulates this area for 2025. He suggested it will be intriguing to see if there is a competitive reset with all four teams adopting this technology, rather than just two. Hughes also stated that Mercedes currently has a head start over Ferrari and Red Bull in this area but still faces challenges in catching up in other technological aspects.

Can Lewis Hamilton face defeat at the hands of Mercedes in 2025?

While Mercedes might hold an edge over Ferrari with their innovative front wing technology heading into the 2025 season, as Mark Hughes highlighted, their overall package still requires refinement. Consistency will be key if the Silver Arrows aim to challenge the Maranello squad and other frontrunners.

The team ended 2024 a distant fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, marking a steep decline from their dominant past. Compounding their challenges is the loss of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, whose departure leaves a significant gap in both leadership and experience. Replacing him with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, though promising, is a gamble.

Antonelli arrives with immense potential and an extensive testing record with the team, setting the stage for a prepared debut season. However, the pressure to deliver strong results right out of the gate will be immense. The young Italian’s readiness will be tested, as Mercedes cannot afford to falter further in the highly competitive midfield.

George Russell is well-poised to take on the role of team leader, having demonstrated his capabilities by outperforming Hamilton in qualifying and race battles throughout 2024. His leadership will be critical as Mercedes rebuilds and adapts to a post-Hamilton era.

Despite their technological advances, weaknesses in other areas of the car’s performance could hinder their progress. To consistently outpace Ferrari and their rivals, Mercedes must address these vulnerabilities and ensure their package is capable of delivering results across a full season.