Lewis Hamilton is preparing to enter what could be the defining final chapter of his legendary Formula 1 career.

For years, he may have questioned whether the dream of racing for Ferrari would ever become reality, but when Frederic Vasseur discovered Lewis Hamilton’s interest in joining the Scuderia for 2025, he wasted no time in making it happen. Now, more than a year after announcing that 2024 would mark the end of his 12-season tenure with Mercedes, the Briton is set to embark on his first Grand Prix weekend clad in Ferrari’s iconic red.

The seven-time Formula1 world champion would have undoubtedly hoped for a stronger farewell campaign with the Silver Arrows. However, his final season with Mercedes saw him endure his lowest-ever finish in the drivers’ standings, placing him behind all but one of the top four teams’ drivers—Sergio Perez, who ultimately lost his Red Bull seat.

Despite that disappointment, Hamilton appears reinvigorated at Ferrari, exuding a fresh sense of enthusiasm as he prepares for the Australian Grand Prix. F1 pundit Martin Brundle has even admitted he has never seen Hamilton as happy as he is now, suggesting this newfound energy could translate into stronger performances on track.

Yet, not everyone is entirely reassured. Former F1 driver David Coulthard, who raced against Hamilton early in his career and has followed his rise to becoming the sport’s most successful driver, has voiced concerns about a particular trend he has noticed in Hamilton’s recent seasons at Mercedes. Speaking on the *RacingNews365* podcast, David Coulthard revealed what has left him ‘worried’ about Hamilton’s form ahead of his Ferrari debut.

David Coulthard was asked about the seven-time world champion’s move over the winter and explained that drivers always find a way to maximize their potential. He noted that exceptional drivers, like Lewis Hamilton, take this to an even higher level. However, Coulthard mentioned that in the past couple of years, there seemed to be a sense of unease with Hamilton’s connection to the car’s performance, which he found worrying.

He suggested that this could be due to racing driver fatigue after Hamilton’s long career, which might have made him crave a change. The former Formula 1 driver reflected that sometimes in life, work, or relationships, a change is necessary to rediscover one’s motivation, and it appears that Hamilton has found that with his move to Ferrari. He described the situation almost like a “Hollywood script,” highlighting how incredible Hamilton looks, defying his age with his fitness.

Coulthard also pointed out that Lewis Hamilton’s record as the most successful driver in F1 history brings even more excitement to his new chapter. He emphasized that there are many reasons to be excited about Hamilton’s future, but he believes it’s still too early to write the final chapter of his career. According to David Coulthard, while Hamilton’s career will eventually reach its conclusion—possibly within the next five years—it’s still too soon to make a judgment about his legacy.

Lewis Hamilton may have already sidestepped the same mistake that Fernando Alonso made during his time at Ferrari, potentially positioning himself to achieve greater success with the team. Ferrari has been without a Formula 1 World Champion since 2007, when Kimi Raikkonen narrowly triumphed over Hamilton and his McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso in the final race of the season.

The Briton went on to claim his first World Championship title in 2008, defeating Felipe Massa in one of the most dramatic title deciders in F1 history. Since then, several other former world champions have attempted to break Ferrari’s long-standing championship drought, yet none have succeeded. Both Alonso and Sebastian Vettel were unable to capture the coveted title while driving for the Scuderia, despite their impressive careers. Even Charles Leclerc, widely regarded as a potential world champion, has come up short, highlighting the difficulty of winning with the Italian team.

However, the seven-time F1 world champion, in his early days at Ferrari, has already avoided one key mistake that Alonso made during his own time with the team. Alonso’s first win with Ferrari came at the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix, marking a memorable moment in his career. As Lewis Hamilton prepares for the upcoming race weekend, he undoubtedly hopes to replicate that remarkable achievement, potentially marking his own victory for the Scuderia at this iconic race.

This early success could set the tone for Hamilton’s Ferrari journey, as he seeks to end the team’s 16-year wait for another driver’s championship.

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Iceman’s title remains the last joy for Ferrari fans, who have been waiting 17 years for another Drivers’ Championship. What should have been the start of a new cycle instead turned out to be a premature swan song: after Interlagos 2007, Kimi Raikkonen won only six more races (four with Ferrari, two with Lotus), even taking a break from Formula 1 to compete in the World Rally Championship.

David Coulthard’s comments
A unique character, described by former McLaren teammate David Coulthard as follows: “He was a great natural talent. He went straight from Formula Renault to driving a Sauber at Mugello, one of the scariest circuits you can drive on in an F1 car,” he said on The Red Flags podcast.

Nevertheless, Iceman could have left a much greater mark in F1 history: “He had immense talent and won a World Championship. But if he had Michael Schumacher’s work ethic, he would have won more. Michael kept the engineers and mechanics accountable, both at the track and in the factory. He pushed them, and they understood him. That was the fuel that helped everyone improve.” – the former Red Bull driver concluded.

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The mistake in Spain
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival in Maranello was warmly welcomed by Ferrari fans, with the Englishman also completing his first laps at the Fiorano circuit in the red car. In the following days, the seven-time world champion took part in additional TPC (Test of Previous Cars) sessions at the Barcelona circuit, where he made his first mistake as a Ferrari driver and ended up in the barriers.

David Coulthard’s defense
There were no consequences for the former Mercedes driver, although the incident, which occurred in the final sector, sparked considerable discussion. David Coulthard also shared his perspective on the matter but did not make a big deal out of Lewis Hamilton’s accident: “There’s been a lot of talk about his recent test in Barcelona,” the Scot commented on the *Formula for Success* podcast. “He had a small accident. Every little off-track moment can be called an accident, and it’s a professional risk. It doesn’t matter if you’re the great Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, or Ferrari’s current driver, Lewis Hamilton. Anyone can go off the track at a given moment.”

From Mercedes to Ferrari
Beyond an error that can happen to any driver, David Coulthard also defended Lewis Hamilton from another perspective—his need to adapt to Ferrari’s characteristics after spending his entire Formula 1 career with Mercedes power units and nearly all of it with the German manufacturer’s systems. “I simply see it this way,” continued the 13-time Grand Prix winner. “He has to get used to Ferrari’s control systems and power delivery. These are hybrid engines, so it’s not the natural torque acceleration of an internal combustion engine. The electrical energy comes in a certain way, and I suspect that the Mercedes F1 hybrid engine is so deeply ingrained in his mind that he was simply caught off guard.” – the former Formula 1 driver concluded.

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Time is ticking: David Coulthard warns Ferrari about the possible “down moments” of Lewis Hamilton in F1. The Scot does not deny the value of the seven-time world champion, but age is a problem for everyone. With little time to adapt to a new environment, #44 will need to prove he is ready from the very first laps. A tough task that should concern Maranello.

In modern Formula 1, age is increasingly playing a marginal role. Drivers race for longer – see Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, or Nico Hulkenberg – but also arrive on the grid at a much younger age. This contrast between fresh eighteen-year-olds, not even licensed drivers (Andrea Kimi Antonelli passed his test this week), and seasoned veterans will become an important theme in the upcoming season.

For now, the veterans of the circus have not disappointed. Experience still holds an inestimable value, especially when combined with pure talent. However, aging is a curse that Mother Nature spares no one. The first symptoms, more psychological than physical, may arise in a sport where the pressure is constantly sky-high, making a loss of concentration a serious risk.

David Coulthard: “There’s this thing called Mother Nature, and time passes”
This is how David Coulthard sees it, citing some concentration lapses by Hamilton during 2024 to support his argument: “Lewis is a record-breaking machine, but this isn’t a personality contest, it’s not a race of opinions, it’s a race based on data,” he explained to Channel 4. “And being consistently outperformed by George [Russell]… Great drivers don’t have bad cars.”

“He’s lost his edge at this stage of his age and in Formula 1. Whether Ferrari is the spark to bring him back remains to be seen, but I’d say it’s quite worrying. This doesn’t diminish his skill, it doesn’t take away from the records, but there’s this thing called Mother Nature, and time passes.”

“Mistakes can happen. But not engaging the pit limiter [in the Qatar GP], if that’s what he actually did, I think that’s more worrying because it’s something you do naturally when entering the pit lane. He was already in a bad mental place, seeking answers from his engineer, confused about his slowness. He wasn’t happy at all. Let’s hope it’s not the end for good.”

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Red Bull, the last team to finalize their driver line-up, has parted ways with Sergio Perez, reaching a mutual agreement. The team has promoted Liam Lawson from Racing Bulls to partner Max Verstappen, while Isack Hadjar takes the seat alongside Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri.

McLaren stands out as the only team in the top four to maintain their existing driver pairing for 2025. However, Ferrari stirred up the driver market by signing the legendary Lewis Hamilton, a move that created significant buzz, while Mercedes responded by promoting rookie Kimi Antonelli to replace him.

In the midfield, Aston Martin has been an anomaly, sticking with their current pairing. Meanwhile, Alpine’s Jack Doohan will step into the shoes of Esteban Ocon, who leaves to join Oliver Bearman at the revamped Haas team.

Williams made a notable splash in the market, securing Carlos Sainz after his unexpected availability, while Sauber opted for a major overhaul following a disappointing season, bringing in seasoned veteran Nico Hulkenberg alongside F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto.

This year’s market is a stark contrast to 2023, when every driver retained their seat, and for the first time in Formula 1 history, no rookies joined the grid.

On Viaplay’s F1 Talks 2024 end-of-season review show, former F1 driver David Coulthard weighed in on the situation surrounding Ferrari, especially in relation to Lewis Hamilton. Despite being the most successful driver in the sport’s history, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari raises some questions, especially after a less-than-ideal 2024 season. David Coulthard pointed out that while Ferrari “has to be a little bit worried” about Hamilton’s form, the 39-year-old’s past accomplishments can’t be ignored.

Lewis Hamilton’s 2024 campaign saw him finish 22 points behind his Mercedes teammate, George Russell—a disappointing yet not catastrophic gap. However, it was his struggles in qualifying that raised the most concerns, as he lost to Russell in 19 out of 24 sessions. While Lewis Hamilton often managed to recover some ground during the races, Ferrari will need him to be at his absolute best in all aspects of his performance if they are to end their long drought in securing the Constructors’ Championship, a title they haven’t claimed since 2008.

George Russell himself has stated that Lewis Hamilton could benefit from a fresh start, and David Coulthard seems to agree. He suggested that it’s easy to envision Hamilton returning to form and looking like “Superman” once he dons the Ferrari red for the 2025 season.

David Coulthard mentioned that the stopwatch does not lie and that, currently, the lap times are not reflecting the desired results. He added that Ferrari might have some concerns, but also pointed out that change can sometimes be beneficial. David Coulthard suggested that Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, and donning the red suit, could have a transformative effect, comparing it to how Superman becomes empowered when he wears his suit. The former McLaren and Red Bull driver concluded by stating that, regardless of the outcome, it will be an exciting time ahead.

Lewis Hamilton has made his first official statement as a Ferrari driver, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious career. The seven-time world champion shared with Fred Vasseur the reasons behind his struggles in qualifying last season, which may help ease any private concerns the French team principal had. It appears that some of Hamilton’s issues could have been attributed to the challenging and often unpredictable handling of the Mercedes car.

Frederic Vasseur, who managed Hamilton in the junior categories, brings a wealth of knowledge about how to get the best out of the British driver. This existing relationship between the two could prove crucial in helping Hamilton adapt quickly and effectively to his new environment at Ferrari.

Though the Brit only officially became a Ferrari driver in the past few days, he spent the final weeks of 2024 wrapping up his long and successful tenure with Mercedes. During this time, he did not participate in the post-season test with Ferrari.

Nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton took to social media in the start of 2025 to send a message to Ferrari’s passionate fanbase, officially signaling the start of his journey with the iconic Italian team. The Briton is expected to make his first public appearance as a Ferrari driver at the launch event of the F1 75 in London, scheduled for February 18.

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Superb qualifying, setbacks in races
Charles Leclerc has proven himself over the years as one of the best qualifiers in F1 history. The numbers speak for themselves: despite rarely having the best car on the grid, the Ferrari driver has recorded 26 pole positions in 147 races. Since his F1 debut at the 2018 Australian GP, only Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have achieved more poles than the Maranello #16.

However, alongside this positive statistic is a downside: Charles Leclerc is statistically one of the worst drivers in history at converting pole positions into victories. Of the Monegasque’s 26 poles, 21 (80.7%) did not result in a win under the checkered flag. Among drivers with at least 10 career poles, only René Arnoux (88.8%) and David Coulthard (83.3%) have worse percentages.

A conversion to improve
Of course, numbers don’t tell the whole story: often, Leclerc has started at the front without a real chance of holding onto the lead due to the car’s insufficient competitiveness. A clear example is the three pole positions in 2021. Nonetheless, Charles Leclerc does show some issues in terms of conversion: even in 2024, only one of his three poles resulted in a win, that being Monaco. At Spa and Baku, despite starting first, he finished third and second, respectively.

If Ferrari confirms its title-contending potential in 2025, Charles Leclerc will need to improve in this area to withstand the pressure from Lewis Hamilton. The impression is that Charles Leclerc could be more competitive than the seven-time world champion in qualifying. Enhancing his conversion rate during races when starting from pole will be a critical step toward securing his first world title.

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Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc will undoubtedly reflect on a 2024 Formula 1 season that promised much but ultimately left him without the results he might have hoped for.

Charles Leclerc began the year with a stunning victory at his home race, the Monaco Grand Prix, which seemed to position him as the leading challenger to Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ Championship. At that stage, the Monegasque driver trailed Verstappen by just 31 points, with Red Bull inexplicably losing their dominance on the grid.

However, Ferrari’s fortunes took a downturn following a major car update introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix. Rather than improving their performance, the team experienced a significant drop in competitiveness.

It wasn’t until four races later, at Spa, that Charles Leclerc returned to the podium, and that result only came after George Russell’s disqualification. Two more races passed before Charles Leclerc claimed another victory, this time at Ferrari’s cherished home event in Monza.

By then, any hopes of catching Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ standings had faded. Yet Ferrari still had a chance at the Constructors’ Championship. Leclerc and his teammate narrowed the gap to just 21 points heading into the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, events at the Yas Marina Circuit conspired against them, dashing Ferrari’s hopes of securing the title.

David Coulthard Praises ‘Perfect’ Charles Leclerc After Stunning Abu Dhabi Start
The Monegasque driver’s chances at the season finale were further hampered by a mistake during qualifying, compounded by a 10-place grid penalty for installing a new energy store. This left him starting the race from the back row. Despite this setback, Charles Leclerc delivered a moment of brilliance during the opening lap, which left Channel 4 commentator David Coulthard in awe.

Charles Leclerc’s remarkable start saw him go around the outside of turn 6, overtaking four cars in one bold move while skillfully avoiding the collision between Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.

Reflecting on the incredible maneuver, co-commentator James Hinchcliffe, reviewing the replay, remarked: “Four positions just on the run down to turn 6! Absolutely carving his way through the field, position after position. Eventually ran out of tyres and had to do the undercut on George Russell, but an unbelievable first stint from the Ferrari man.”

David Coulthard added: “Yep, he’s been definitely on form. Fired up by having to deal with that penalty and that pass as you mentioned down into six, well it’s the perfect display of fortune favouring the brave!” – the former Formula 1 driver pointed out.

Charles Leclerc recognizes that defeating Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari’s intra-team battle could pave the way for him to claim the 2025 F1 World Championship.

Ferrari made impressive strides toward the end of the season, frequently matching McLaren’s pace depending on the circuit. However, their mid-season slump proved costly, as it dashed their hopes of capturing their first Constructors’ Championship since 2008. Despite this setback, the team has every reason to feel optimistic about their driver line-up heading into next year.

Carlos Sainz delivered a standout performance for Ferrari, with his victories in Australia and Mexico City showcasing his skill and consistency. These achievements earned him significant praise and highlighted the depth of talent within the team.

However, the arrival of Lewis Hamilton is expected to elevate Ferrari even further. Hamilton’s reputation for meticulous decision-making—especially when it comes to team switches—has often been vindicated, and his presence could provide the team with a fresh edge. Known for his high standards and ability to drive development, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion brings a wealth of experience that could make a tangible difference.

Yet, Lewis Hamilton may face a formidable challenge from Charles Leclerc, who is in outstanding form. At 27, Charles Leclerc demonstrated his peak potential with standout performances in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, proving he still has what it takes to contend at the very highest level.

If Ferrari can maintain their development trajectory and Leclerc continues to perform at his best, the internal duel between him and Hamilton could determine more than just team bragging rights. The driver who emerges victorious in this rivalry may well find themselves lifting the World Championship trophy by season’s end.

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Formula 1 is already focused on the penultimate race of the season in Qatar, but much of the media attention remains fixed on last weekend’s events in Las Vegas, where Charles Leclerc accused Carlos Sainz of once again ignoring team orders given to him at the start of the second stint.

After his heated outburst at the end of the race, Charles Leclerc told the media that he would focus solely on himself from now on, while Carlos Sainz accused his Maranello teammate of complaining too much, both on the radio and to the press.

According to recent reports, Frederic Vasseur summoned both drivers shortly after the incident, reminding them to focus exclusively on the team’s objective—the constructors’ championship—which is still within reach despite the fact that the tracks at Losail and Yas Marina are not expected to suit the SF-24.

David Coulthard’s Advice to Charles Leclerc
David Coulthard also shared his thoughts on the tension between Ferrari’s two drivers during an interview on the *Drive to Wynn* podcast:

“I like that Fred Vasseur says, ‘Look, that’s fine.’ It’s been so long since we’ve seen another driver get upset about strategy—not rebelling, but also not trying to hide their frustration.”

“I don’t like it at all when press officers or team principals try to lie to us with political statements like, ‘There’s nothing to say about this.’ Of course, there’s something to say!” – the former Formula 1 driver pointed out.

“He’ll have a chat with Charles and tell him, ‘Mate, follow the instructions—you’re paid by the team. If you don’t like it, go somewhere else.’ Whatever they say. Fred could also say, ‘These are the circumstances that led us to make the decision we made. We have all the information; you don’t. Keep it to the radio until we’ve had a discussion afterward.’” – David Coulthard concluded.

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The former British driver expressed concerns about Lewis Hamilton’s move to the Italian team, which he believes could turn out to be a poor decision. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion will arrive in Italy on the verge of turning 40, which may not bode well for the Scuderia.

“Ferrari risks getting a good Hamilton, just as Mercedes got a good Schumacher, but nothing more. When the Silver Arrows signed the German, they hoped to get the champion who had won everything, but in the end, he turned out to be an ordinary driver, a good driver, yes, but nothing exceptional. It seems like a sentimental, emotional choice, driven by a certain frustration.” – the former McLaren and Red Bull driver pointed out.

Could Lewis Hamilton face the same fate as Michael Schumacher?
“A good Lewis is still quite valuable, but this year he has been consistently outperformed by George Russell. Maybe not in the championship points standings, but in terms of qualifying and similar metrics, there’s been no contest between the two. Plus, Hamilton has only won two races since 2021, which could be a significant issue,” David Coulthard adds.

“At some point, drivers lose speed. They remain brilliant but are no longer what they were in their prime. They lose performance. For Lewis, especially, he’ll need to push hard in qualifying, and it could be extremely challenging for him given that he’ll have to beat Charles Leclerc, who we know can push incredibly hard.”

“Hamilton has nothing left to prove; he’s a seven-time world champion. Yet he still feels compelled to improve and show he’s strong even for the generations that follow. He’s always striving to get better, and clearly, Hamilton wants to leave his final mark,” the Briton concludes.

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This marks only the second team change in Lewis Hamilton’s illustrious career. The Briton began his F1 journey with McLaren before joining Mercedes in 2013, where he enjoyed over a decade of dominance. Now, as he prepares to don Ferrari red in 2025, Lewis Hamilton will join forces with Charles Leclerc and work under team principal Frédéric Vasseur, with whom he collaborated earlier in his pre-Formula One career.

Lewis Hamilton’s move comes as he approaches a significant milestone—his 40th birthday. By the time he takes the wheel for Ferrari, questions surrounding his age and endurance will inevitably arise. Former F1 driver David Coulthard has pointed out that Hamilton’s ability to perform at this stage of his career will be under scrutiny. It will ultimately be up to the veteran driver to prove he remains a force to be reckoned with as he enters this new chapter with one of motorsport’s most iconic teams: “The key ingredient of all of the greats over the history of time has been to be able to qualify and race. And if Lewis, at 40 years old, has lost a yard in footballing terms, then he may well struggle to beat Charles over the course of a year,” he revealed in a recent interview for the British media – “That is a legitimate question that anyone should be asking, but it is for him to show us. It is not about us putting him down and saying he cannot do it, because it is in his hands,” the driver who competed in Formula One from 1994 to 2008 continued.

Lewis Hamilton Drawn into Michael Schumacher Comparison
In a twist of fate, Michael Schumacher made his return to Formula One in 2010, signing with Mercedes after a three-year hiatus. This move ultimately set the stage for Lewis Hamilton to join the team in 2013, following Michael Schumacher’s second retirement. Despite his legendary status, the German’s comeback with Mercedes was met with mixed results, with the German driver managing to secure just a single podium finish at the 2012 European Grand Prix in Valencia. This limited success has sparked comparisons between the two seven-time Formula 1 world champions, particularly as Lewis Hamilton prepares to take on a new challenge with the Italian side.

“Mercedes does not exist for Lewis Hamilton, and Lewis Hamilton has made it clear that he does not exist for Mercedes. In the same way, when Michael came back from retirement to sign for Mercedes, it was really shocking to imagine him being anything other than a Ferrari legend. But the draw of coming home to Mercedes, the desire and belief that he could do it still, brought him in. He did a couple of years, he did okay, but it was not the same as how he was in his first stint in Formula 1,” – the former Formula 1 driver pointed out.

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