Although Lewis Hamilton’s performance during the test drew mixed reactions from fans due to his limited race runs and relatively underwhelming qualifying pace, the driver seemed to quickly adapt to the feel of the new car. While Ferrari had to halt his race run on the final day due to a telemetry anomaly, the main objective of the three-day test was for Hamilton to familiarize himself with the team’s operational procedures at the track.

Ahead of the 2025 season opener at the 5.278-kilometre Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, Karun Chandhok offered his insight into Hamilton’s upcoming first year with Ferrari, particularly focusing on the unique factor that could propel him to success within the team. Speaking on *The F1 Show* podcast, the former Formula 1 driver drew an interesting comparison between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari legend Nigel Mansell, pointing out a key similarity that could prove beneficial for the British driver in the upcoming F1 campaign.

The F1 broadcaster believes that, much like Nigel Mansell did during his time with the Maranello team , the Briton’s connection with the fans—especially the passionate Tifosi—will play a crucial role in his motivation and performance. He noted that Lewis Hamilton’s first official appearance in Ferrari red at the F1 75 launch in London was met with an overwhelming reception from the British crowd, and the Tifosi showed their immense support during Lewis Hamilton’s first test at Fiorano.

This kind of fan energy, according to Karun Chandhok, is something that will drive the Briton throughout the season. He highlighted how Nigel Mansell often claimed that the support of the British fans gave him an extra half a second per lap at Silverstone. Karun Chandhok believes that Hamilton will experience a similar boost in energy and performance, powered by the passionate and loyal fanbase of Ferrari, which could be a defining factor in his 2025 campaign. With this unwavering support, Hamilton’s Ferrari journey could be set for an exciting and successful season ahead.

Nigel Chandhok reflected on the images of Lewis Hamilton’s arrival in Maranello, noting the bridge full of Tifosi eagerly waiting to see his first lap. He mentioned that he had seen similar pictures during the Milan tour. He pointed out that they had often discussed how Hamilton shares similarities with Nigel Mansell, particularly how both thrive on the support and admiration of the fans. Chandhok highlighted how Hamilton tends to rise to the occasion at the British Grand Prix, and he believed that Ferrari’s warm embrace, along with the excitement of the Italian team and its fans, would provide Lewis Hamilton with a great deal of energy for the upcoming season.

Martin Brundle Predicts Multiple Wins for Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari in 2025

Lewis Hamilton, the record-holder for the most races with a single team, having spent 12 years at Mercedes and clinched six world titles, is set for a new chapter with Ferrari in 2025. As the British driver transitions into this exciting new phase of his career, Martin Brundle has made a bold prediction about Hamilton’s performance with the Scuderia.

Martin Brundle believes that the British driver will secure more than one victory during his first season with the Italian side. Despite the Maranello team’s challenging start to the 2025 season, Ferrari finished the 2024 campaign on a high note, which suggests they have the potential to remain competitive. However, Ferrari is expected to face some challenges during the mid-season FIA rule changes, which are set to be enforced at the Spanish Grand Prix. This regulation shift could impact their development and performance in the latter part of the season.

Overall, McLaren is expected to be the team to beat in 2025, with their current form positioning them as strong contenders. Max Verstappen, too, believes McLaren could be the only team truly challenging for the title, given their recent improvements. Yet, with a 24-race calendar ahead, much can change, and if the right updates are brought to the cars, the title battle could still shift in unexpected directions.

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Lewis Hamilton Continues to Steal the Spotlight at Bahrain Test with Historic Ferrari Move

Lewis Hamilton remains the focal point of the 2025 F1 Bahrain testing, generating more buzz than any other driver on the grid. Even before the first session began, photographers gathered outside the Ferrari garage, eager to capture their first glimpse of the seven-time world champion as he participated in an official F1 session for his new team.

Karun Chandhok described the excitement surrounding Hamilton as “unreal,” especially following what many consider to be the most significant driver transfer in F1 history. If the move proves successful, it could maintain this level of hype throughout the season, much to the chagrin of Hamilton’s rivals. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, aware of the intense media attention, aimed to manage the fanfare around Hamilton’s arrival, allowing him and his engineers to concentrate on the crucial task of adapting to the car.

While Lewis Hamilton draws massive attention, other drivers like Lando Norris are expected to experience less media scrutiny. Lando Norris, often regarded as a title contender after McLaren’s dominant run in the constructors’ championship, will benefit from the spotlight shifting to Hamilton and his highly anticipated Ferrari journey.

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari makes him the first world champion to join the Scuderia since Sebastian Vettel, who won four titles with Red Bull before moving to Maranello. However, the comparison most frequently drawn is to Michael Schumacher’s iconic 1996 switch to Ferrari, a move that redefined the sport.

The Significance of Lewis Hamilton’s Move: Karun Chandhok Draws Parallels to Schumacher

Lewis Hamilton’s pursuit of a record-breaking eighth world title brings him ever closer to Michael Schumacher’s legacy, as both drivers are tied at seven championships. Achieving that historic eighth title in Ferrari’s iconic scarlet red would carry tremendous symbolic weight.

During the testing session, the British driver was seen conversing with Ferrari chairman John Elkann in the garage. The Indian former racing driver and broadcaster noted that John Elkann’s presence at the paddock emphasized just how significant Lewis Hamilton’s signing is for Ferrari. This moment, according to the F1 broadcaster, reminded him of the 1996 scenes when Schumacher first joined Ferrari, with team leaders at the time acknowledging the far-reaching impact of his arrival. The parallels between these two legendary moves are hard to ignore, as both drivers aim to write their own chapters of history with the Scuderia. When the move was announced a year ago, the company saw a significant spike in its share prices. Although Hamilton celebrated his 40th birthday last month, his first contract with Ferrari could keep him with the team for the next three years.

During the coverage of testing at the Bahrain circuit, Karun Chandhok remarked that Hamilton’s signing reminded him of when Ferrari last signed a world champion megastar, Michael Schumacher. He recalled that at the time, John Elkann’s uncle, Gianni Agnelli, was present in the pitlane alongside Luca di Montezemolo, watching the major asset they had brought to the team. The former Formula 1 driver emphasized that this moment highlighted the significance and importance of signing Lewis Hamilton for the Ferrari group.

Ted Kravitz Observes Rare Ferrari Moment as John Elkann Attends Testing

Ted Kravitz, a colleague of Karun Chandhok, pointed out a rare occurrence at Ferrari during the pre-season testing session—the surprise attendance of Ferrari chairman John Elkann. It’s unusual for Elkann to appear at regular races, as he typically only attends select events throughout the season. His presence at testing, however, underlined the significance of the moment for Ferrari and its newly signed star, Lewis Hamilton.

Chandhok also noted that Hamilton appeared to settle into the Ferrari with ease, which is sure to reassure Elkann. As a 105-time race winner, Hamilton is naturally far more costly than his teammate Carlos Sainz, and with such a significant financial investment, Ferrari will undoubtedly expect a substantial return on that investment.

Lewis Hamilton’s High-Earning Deal and Ferrari’s Championship Push

Hamilton is reportedly earning £39 million annually with Ferrari, though his total compensation could skyrocket to as much as £83 million, depending on performance-related bonuses. Given Ferrari’s near-miss in the constructors’ championship last season—falling short by just 14 points—Hamilton’s signing is viewed as a crucial step in the team’s efforts to secure both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles. The added pressure for Hamilton to deliver results is immense, but his proven pedigree offers Ferrari the best chance to finally reclaim their spot at the top of Formula 1.

By signing the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, Ferrari is clearly aiming to close the gap to Red Bull, and the Italian team’s investment in the world champion reflects their commitment to winning. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Hamilton’s ability to lead Ferrari back to championship glory.

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Ferrari has always been synonymous with excellence in F1, but in recent seasons, the team has struggled to reclaim its former glory. However, with Fred Vasseur and Lewis Hamilton, things could change. Sky Sports F1 commentator Karun Chandhok has praised Fred Vasseur for his “pragmatic” approach and the reassuring influence he is exerting as he steers Ferrari towards a title challenge in 2025.

Frederic Vasseur replaced Mattia Binotto, and his impact was immediately felt. Chandhok highlights that under Fred Vasseur’s leadership, Ferrari has made fewer strategic errors and introduced organizational changes that have positively influenced the team’s performance.

What lies behind Fred Vasseur’s work with Lewis Hamilton
Chandhok emphasizes Fred Vasseur’s experience and practical mindset, which are crucial in the high-pressure world of F1. “He doesn’t get involved in politics… He is very calm, very methodical,” Karun Chandhok said during a recent episode of the Evo India podcast.

“I remember visiting him in Mexico after the race. They dominated. Carlos Sainz had completely controlled the race, cruising to victory, and I was talking to him about the Constructors’ Championship. He said, ‘No, we won’t talk about that. We’ll talk about the debrief, we’ll talk about Brazil. We’ll discuss the next race, one at a time. That’s all that matters to me. Taking things as they come.’ He has a very, very pragmatic and practical approach.”

With a strong driver lineup, including the arrival of Lewis Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc for the 2025 Formula 1 season, expectations at Ferrari are higher than ever. Last year, Ferrari finished just 13 points behind McLaren in the Constructors’ standings, a narrow gap that highlights their potential. Karun Chandhok believes that with Fred Vasseur at the helm, Ferrari has the necessary tools to seriously challenge for both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles.

Source: f1ingenerale

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A familiar gamble
On the verge of turning 40, the Briton is ready to embark on a new challenge in Maranello, leaving behind a long stint with Mercedes, where he won six of his seven world championships, and now laying the groundwork to aim for the absolute record of eight titles. A challenge that excites many fans and former drivers but also raises some doubts. This is a topic that Karun Chandhok, who raced in F1 during 2010-2011 and is now a Sky F1 commentator, has also addressed.

The Indian referred to the early part of Lewis Hamilton‘s career, when he decided in 2012 to leave McLaren and join Mercedes the following season. A choice that initially raised eyebrows but later proved more than successful: “It’s a calculated risk,” he said. “It worked once; let’s see if it works again. I think it’s a gamble because how can you know what the opposing team was doing? Obviously, he had an idea of what was happening at Mercedes. He said people didn’t necessarily listen to what he was saying or fully take into account some of his ideas about car development. Looking back, at the start of the year, he talked about some of those conversations. Maybe that directed him to another place where he felt he might be listened to a bit more.”

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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will undoubtedly reflect on the 2024 Formula 1 season with immense pride and satisfaction.

After years of misfortune at his home race in Monaco, the Monegasque driver finally claimed a long-awaited victory on the iconic streets of Monte Carlo. In an emotional and physically demanding race, Charles Leclerc demonstrated exceptional composure, fending off Oscar Piastri’s relentless challenge from the very first lap to take the chequered flag.

Damon Hill, whose father once dominated the principality, expressed his admiration for the Monegasque’s achievement, recognizing the significance of this victory. Charles Leclerc’s winning streak continued at Ferrari’s home race in Monza, where he executed a flawless strategy to overcome the fierce competition from both McLaren drivers. The win not only brought joy to the Tifosi but also helped Ferrari regain momentum in a challenging season.

The 27-year-old added another victory to his name in Austin and secured three additional podium finishes during the season’s final stretch. Despite these impressive performances, Charles Leclerc finished third in the Drivers’ Championship behind Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Though he was briefly considered a title contender after his Monaco triumph, Ferrari’s car was not competitive enough to sustain a championship challenge. Max Verstappen, facing his own struggles with Red Bull’s package, would argue that such limitations were not unique to Charles Leclerc.

Nevertheless, the season was far from a disappointment for Charles Leclerc, who made notable strides in his development as a driver. On the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Karun Chandhok highlighted one key area of improvement: Charles Leclerc’s communication on the team radio. The Indian former racing driver and broadcaster praised the Ferrari star for eliminating what had previously been a weakness, showcasing greater clarity and decisiveness in his radio exchanges throughout 2024.

While a title fight eluded him, the year marked a significant step forward for the Monegasque, both in his career and in his efforts to lead Ferrari back to the top. When asked about the 27-year-old’s 2024 Formula 1 championship, the Sky Sport pundit replied: “I had Charles Leclerc in second because I thought in terms of consistency, Ferrari weren’t as consistently competitive as McLaren. But Charles, I thought, did an outstanding job this year, it really was a brilliant season. And he made changes as well. One of those weaknesses, Ted, you listed a lot of the radio as much as I did, was indecision on strategy and they’d be dithering, wouldn’t they? Him and Xavi Marcos.” – he pointed out.

“They made the decision to change to Bryan Bozzi. He got Jock Clear in his corner still. They worked well. And I thought, there’s a strong argument to say 2022 was Leclerc’s best season because he finished second. But he made more mistakes. And I actually thought this was his best season in Formula 1.” – he added.

Charles Leclerc’s Complex History with Ferrari Race Engineers

Charles Leclerc’s most successful Formula 1 season to date remains his second-place finish in the 2022 Drivers’ Championship, as Karun Chandhok has noted. However, his inability to challenge Max Verstappen more closely that year was largely attributed to the repeated strategic missteps made by Ferrari, which often undermined his otherwise strong performances.

Leclerc’s working relationship with his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, has had its ups and downs over the years. While tensions occasionally flared, particularly during moments of poor strategy execution, their dynamic showed noticeable improvement as the 2024 season progressed. This growing synergy between driver and engineer could prove vital as Ferrari looks to rebuild its competitiveness.

Team principal Frédéric Vasseur faces the challenge of maintaining and nurturing this partnership while simultaneously integrating Leclerc’s new teammate, Lewis Hamilton, into the team. Lewis Hamilton, known for his extraordinary rapport with his long-time race engineer Peter Bonnington, will need to adapt to working without “Bono” by his side, as Bonnington is not making the move to Maranello.

This situation may give Charles Leclerc an initial edge over Lewis Hamilton, as the Monegasque already has the advantage of familiarity with the Ferrari setup and its operational structure. For Leclerc, a stable and effective relationship with his race team could be the key to finally achieving a championship-winning campaign. Meanwhile, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion will need to quickly establish a strong working relationship with his new team to compete at the level he is accustomed to.

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Formula 1 is a brutal sport in every sense. It is brutal for the drivers, the engineers, the staff, and also for the organizers. Sometimes, dedication and passion are not enough to save historical racing temples. Thus, Italy might soon face a difficult choice: with two races on the calendar, either Monza or Imola could disappear.

It is difficult, almost impossible, to keep both events in Italy. Nothing is certain yet, and things could still change, but according to some commentators, Imola might be the one to leave the Circus. The Romagna circuit is “too narrow for modern single-seaters,” resulting in races that are sometimes not very exciting.

Germany In, Imola Out: Is F1 looking at Hockenheim?
Karun Chandhok, former driver and seasoned commentator for Sky Sports F1, has a clear plan in mind: “I would eliminate Imola. It’s a fantastic and obviously historic destination, and in qualifying, it’s a very exciting circuit for fans and drivers, but it’s too narrow for modern racing. With the size of the cars, I think Formula 1 has outgrown the limits of the track in terms of development.”

“[At Imola] you don’t see many overtakes. I think there needs to be a Grand Prix in Germany: it’s quite strange to have a calendar without a German GP and without a French GP. Mercedes is on the starting grid, and Germany is historically tied to this sport, from the Vettel and Schumacher eras. It’s very strange not to have a race there.”

The Hockenheim circuit is on the table, which in the coming years will undergo extensive and costly redevelopment. In 2026, Madrid will also join with a street circuit promising to deliver excitement while learning from Valencia’s mistakes.

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This recurring theme for the Monegasque driver continued at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where, for the fourth consecutive time, someone else stood on the top step after Charles Leclerc’s Saturday qualifying success. This time, it was McLaren’s Oscar Piastri who bested him. The Australian driver executed a brilliant overtake on Charles Leclerc and defended superbly to claim the second victory of his career.

The Monegasque driver initially led comfortably through the race’s only pit-stop phase for the front-runners. However, Oscar Piastri quickly closed the gap on hard tires and passed Charles Leclerc, whose own tires later degraded, forcing him to fend off challenges from Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez. The Ferrari and Red Bull duo ultimately collided in the final laps of the Baku race, costing them valuable points and promoting George Russell to an unexpected podium finish.

The Maranello team worked hard to help Charles Leclerc regain the lead, and Karun Chandhok, commentating for Sky Sports F1, particularly enjoyed a strategic radio message from Charles Leclerc’s race engineer, Bryan Bozzi.

While the relationship between Bozzi and Charles Leclerc has been questioned in the past, there seems to be growing trust between the two. In the closing stages of the race, Bryan Bozzi sent Charles Leclerc a crucial message: “Box opposite McLaren,” a move that forced McLaren to remain vigilant but ultimately didn’t disrupt their plans.

“It is a dummy call! So, there’s a bit of gamesmanship going on because of course the teams all listen to each other’s radio messages and Ferrari trying to outfox McLaren. McLaren keeping cool and not reacting so far at least, but I like this, I like the gamesmanship happening outside the cockpit as well.” – the F1 commentator and former Formula 1 driver said.

After his emotional victory for Scuderia Ferrari at Monza in front of the ecstatic Tifosi, Charles Leclerc will likely feel he missed out on securing back-to-back wins for the second time in his F1 career. The Monegasque driver  last achieved consecutive victories in 2019 (Belgium and Italy), and his ability to stay within DRS range of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren for much of the race showed that his Ferrari SF-24 single-seater had the pace to challenge for the win. However, Charles Leclerc admitted to making a crucial mistake during his battle with Oscar Piastri that ultimately cost him a valuable race win in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Clean air is vital in Formula 1, and although Oscar Piastri couldn’t fully pull away from Charles Leclerc, it allowed the Australian to manage his tires more effectively. Once Leclerc’s rear tires began to degrade, his hopes of winning faded, and he had to settle for a podium finish alongside Oscar Piastri and George Russell.

Despite the disappointment, Scuderia Ferrari’s overall performance in the Azerbaijan weekend offers promise, and the team remains optimistic about closing the gap to Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship—though McLaren might be harder to catch based on their pace and performance in the last few months.

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It has been a recurring theme for Ferrari in recent years: starting at the front but not translating the initial advantage into a victory. Nevertheless, performing well on Saturdays is certainly no trivial feat, and not all drivers on the grid are capable of it consistently. Even Fernando Alonso, widely considered one of the strongest on the grid, has only achieved “just” 22 career pole positions, accounting for 5.82% of his total qualifying sessions.

Among active drivers, the pole position king is Lewis Hamilton: the Englishman has secured a remarkable 104, with a percentage of 31.33%. However, the years of Mercedes dominance should be taken into account, which certainly doesn’t diminish the statistic but helps provide the right perspective on the data. On the other hand, Max Verstappen can boast 32 pole positions, making up 17.30% of his Saturday appearances.

“I’ve said it many times, and some people have disagreed with me, but I consider Charles Leclerc the strongest driver on a single lap,” explained Karun Chandhok on Sky F1, analyzing Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari. Indeed, looking at Charles Leclerc’s statistics, we find an impressive 23 pole positions, with the second-highest percentage among active drivers (18.70%).

Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!

Starting from 2025, Ferrari will have at its disposal the two best qualifiers in the Circus. With the duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton and a high-performing car, monopolizing the front row on Saturdays could become an extremely important constant in the fight for the Formula One Championship.

Source: f1ingenerale

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Karun: “It looks like you just extend the straight and charge in”

Charles: “Yeah it was not wanted. I’m not happy with the lap we’re going to see anyway. In Q2, I think it was the best lap I’ve ever done in Formula 1.”

Karun: “Really?”

Charles: “Really!”

Karun: “Come back and I’ll show you that one tomorrow”

Charles: “Yeah, exactly. But this one I tried to add too much, a bit everywhere. I just should’ve gone with track evolution, which was really big. But I tried too much, Turn 1 I went too wide.”

You can watch the full interview here on Sky’s twitter! (though they do geoblock so if your outside of the UK, you need a VPN). Highly recommed, it was really cool to see him dissect his own lap.

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Karun Chandhok and anecdotes about Michael Schumacher

“Michael Schumacher was one of my heroes,” Karun Chandhok said to the well-known television broadcaster. “When Alain Prost retired in ’93, I became a big fan of Michael, even though I didn’t like what he did with Jacques Villeneuve and Damon Hill. But overall, I still appreciated his brilliance,” he added.

The former Indian driver then reflected on several moments he had shared with the German in the past: “I remember my first Formula 1 test in 2007 with Red Bull in Barcelona. I left the pit, and Michael had come back for a special test with Ferrari after retiring for the first time in the previous season. I left the garage, followed him out of the pit lane, and I thought to myself, ‘This is just crazy.’ It was my very first day in an F1 car, and I was following Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari!”

And about a special moment which took place at the 2010 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix: “It was my first race, on Thursday, the day of the press conference. Michael was the first driver to greet me and say ‘welcome to Formula 1.’ Then we spent five minutes chatting; he asked about my background and where I came from, he wished me good luck for my season. He didn’t need to do that, but he did.”

Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!

“It was the race of his big comeback with Mercedes. At that moment, he was the biggest star, bigger than Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso; he was the biggest star in the sport, making his big return. I was nobody, he didn’t need to do it, and I’ve always really appreciated the fact that he took those five minutes to make me feel welcome in this sport. He was a nice guy and a fantastic driver,” Karun Chandhok concluded.

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