Amid some of the most challenging conditions he’s encountered in his career, Hamilton could only manage a 10th-place finish, securing the final point available for Ferrari. Despite his efforts, he finished behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, who crossed the line two positions ahead of him. To add to his frustrations, Hamilton was overtaken by Oscar Piastri on the final lap, with the McLaren driver showcasing superior speed and performance.

There were moments early in the weekend when Ferrari appeared poised to challenge the top teams, especially given their strong showing in practice. However, as the race progressed, Mercedes and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull proved to have a clear pace advantage over both Ferrari drivers. This, combined with the difficulty Hamilton and Leclerc faced in overtaking Alex Albon and Yuki Tsunoda, revealed that Ferrari still has work to do if they want to be competitive.

Th seven-time Formula 1 world champion also experienced some communication issues over the team radio, which will likely be addressed as he settles into working with new race engineer Riccardo Adami. Charles Leclerc, too, had his frustrations with team communications, though it’s clear that both drivers have room for improvement in this area.

After the Australian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc holds a narrow points advantage over Hamilton, having been the quicker Ferrari driver throughout the weekend. However, in an interview, former world champion Nigel Mansell issued a warning to the Monegasque, suggesting that the Briton’s presence at Ferrari might pose a serious challenge to the Monegasque driver’s championship hopes. Nigel Mansell highlighted that Ferrari is likely to give Hamilton whatever he asks for, which could significantly impact Leclerc’s position within the team and his ambitions for the season.

In an interview with *The Guardian* regarding Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Nigel Mansell shared his admiration for the British driver, stating that Hamilton is “super intelligent” and “super clever,” adding that he has always been a huge fan of him throughout his career. Mansell emphasized that Hamilton possesses the motivation and mindset necessary for success, suggesting that the 2025 season will help rejuvenate him to the level he was at five or ten years ago. He also noted that joining Ferrari is incredibly inspiring for Hamilton, as it opens many doors for him. According to Nigel Mansell, Hamilton can now request virtually anything from Ferrari, and the team will likely accommodate his needs to ensure he can succeed. He concluded by expressing confidence that Ferrari would provide Hamilton with everything required to achieve his goals and stated that, unless proven otherwise, he believes Hamilton will get the job done.

Lewis Hamilton is determined to have a more successful career at Ferrari than Nigel Mansell, whose time with the legendary team was far from smooth. Nigel Mansell, one of the few British drivers to race for Ferrari in modern Formula 1, joins a select group that includes Eddie Irvine and, for a brief period, Oliver Bearman. As Hamilton prepares for his debut with the team, he is undoubtedly hoping for a more prosperous stint than Mansell’s experience, which was marked by several challenges during his two years with Ferrari in 1989 and 1990.

In his first season, Nigel Mansell was paired with Gerhard Berger, and while he outperformed his teammate, Berger completed only three races, each of which ended in a podium finish. Despite Mansell’s strong showing, the dynamics of the team would soon shift. In 1990, Ferrari brought in Alain Prost, one of the most successful drivers in the sport. Prost’s arrival was a clear signal that the team was prioritizing him, with Prost finishing the season nearly doubling Mansell’s points tally. Ferrari’s emphasis on Prost led to a controversial end to the final race of the season, which prevented Prost from winning the championship against Ayrton Senna.

Nigel Mansell’s experience at Ferrari showed him firsthand what happens when a team places all their focus on one driver, and he is right to caution both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc about the importance of taking control of their situations within the team. Given Ferrari’s intentions to make Hamilton their number one driver, it’s possible that he could influence the development of the car, both for the current season and the 2026 regulations, tailoring it to suit his driving style. This potential control over car development could be pivotal for Hamilton’s success at Ferrari, and he will likely be looking to ensure that his career at the Scuderia is far more successful than Mansell’s.

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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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With the 2025 Formula 1 season now just weeks away, the excitement is building for the opening race in Melbourne, marking its return as the season opener for the first time since 2019. Hamilton has only triumphed in Australia twice, securing victories in 2008 and 2015.

In the most recent race held in Melbourne in 2019, Valtteri Bottas claimed victory, defeating pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton by a commanding 20.886 seconds for a Mercedes one-two finish. Bottas’ famous “To whom it may concern” radio message following the race remains one of the most memorable moments in recent F1 history.

Now, the British driver will be hoping to repeat his success as he embarks on his Ferrari journey, making his highly anticipated debut at the Australian GP on March 16. After departing Mercedes in February last year, Hamilton signed a lucrative two-year contract with Ferrari worth up to £83 million annually. Following a year of farewells with the Silver Arrows, Lewis Hamilton is now fully immersed in the Ferrari team, having completed his first laps in their 2025 F1 car at Fiorano last Wednesday.

Hamilton will become the 13th British driver to race for Ferrari, and notably, the first full-time Briton to do so since Eddie Irvine in 2000. Nigel Mansell, a former Ferrari driver, has shared his enthusiasm for Hamilton’s new chapter. Mansell, who raced for Ferrari during the 1989 and 1990 seasons before achieving his drivers’ title with Williams in 1992, expressed that seeing Hamilton win on his Ferrari debut at the Albert Park circuit in Australia would be a “dream come true.” For the former Ferrari driver, such a victory would set the perfect tone for Hamilton’s new chapter with the Scuderia. Nigel Mansell mentioned to the Daily Mail that it would be a dream come true for Lewis to win the first race with Ferrari, as it would set the tone for the rest of the season.

The former Formula 1 driver expressed that it would be an incredibly fitting start to Hamilton’s Ferrari career if he were to win the Australian Grand Prix. He noted that Ferrari has had strong performances in Melbourne in recent years, with victories from Sebastian Vettel in 2017 and 2018, Charles Leclerc in 2022, and Carlos Sainz in 2024.

Mansell’s dream would only be further fulfilled if Hamilton were to secure an eighth drivers’ title with Ferrari. He believes it would be truly “magical” if the seven-time champion could bring Ferrari their first F1 drivers’ championship since Kimi Raikkonen’s triumph in 2007, solidifying Hamilton’s legacy while reviving the Scuderia’s winning streak.

The 71-year-old went on to say that Ferrari has been long overdue for both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. He expressed his hope that with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, the team would finally achieve it. He added that it would be magical for Hamilton to win another world championship and wished him all the best in his pursuit.

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Due to the duration of his contract, the seven-time world champion was unable to take part in the post-season Abu Dhabi tests in Ferrari colors at the end of last year. Many other drivers, such as Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Ocon, have already had the opportunity to fully integrate with their new teams for the upcoming season. On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton had to wait for the end of January to take part in his first outing from Ferrari’s Fiorano garage with the F1-75. After this, both he and Charles Leclerc will get behind the wheel of the new car, project “677,” on February 19 following the official presentation.

The decision made last February by team principal Frédéric Vasseur was not without criticism. Many immediately saw it as purely a marketing move and argued that Lewis Hamilton’s age would prevent him from achieving the goals Ferrari must pursue—namely, winning both world championships.

Indeed, on January 7, Lewis Hamilton turned 40, making him the second-oldest driver on the Formula 1 grid, behind only Fernando Alonso. Despite the speculation, the British driver wants to end his career by securing his eighth world title in red. Before him, other world champions such as Alain Prost, Fernando Alonso, and Sebastian Vettel tried and failed.

British drivers at Ferrari: the latest in a long line

An Englishman at Maranello is nothing new—Lewis Hamilton is actually the tenth in a long list. Unfortunately, only two have won a world title: Mike Hawthorn in 1958 and John Surtees in 1964. The last British driver to race for Ferrari, Eddie Irvine, came very close in 1999, narrowly missing out on the championship.

Another British driver who had limited success with Ferrari was the great Nigel Mansell. “The Lion” drove for the Italian team in the 1989 and 1990 seasons. In his first year, he finished only six of the 16 races on the calendar, but remarkably, he was on the podium in each of those six finishes. This consistency allowed him to finish fourth in the championship, behind the McLaren and Williams drivers.

Nigel Mansell himself has spoken about Ferrari’s decision and the criticism surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s signing. “I hear a lot of people complaining that Lewis is too old now. I don’t think that matters. I won the world title at that age, and I would have kept racing for more years if politics hadn’t gotten in the way.” – the former Ferrari driver pointed out – “If Hamilton can unleash his ‘inner fire,’ he still has great years ahead of him. I think this partnership between him and Ferrari is something fantastic. I can well imagine him finishing his career dressed in red. He’s fulfilling the dream of a lifetime.” – Nigel Mansell concluded.

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Over the course of his illustrious career, the Frenchman shared the grid with legendary figures such as Niki Lauda, Keke Rosberg, Damon Hill, Ayrton Senna, and Nigel Mansell—an impressive list that features multiple world champions.

Additionally, Prost partnered with highly capable drivers like John Watson, Rene Arnoux, Jean Alesi, and Stefan Johansson, all of whom displayed exceptional speed and skill during their peaks.

That Alain Prost concluded his career as a four-time Formula 1 world champion, despite competing against such an extraordinary roster of teammates, stands as a testament to his incredible talent and consistency.

Nonetheless, Alain Prost’s relationships with his teammates varied considerably. For instance, after enduring a tumultuous period as Ayrton Senna’s partner at McLaren, Prost actively prevented Senna from joining him at the Maranello team. That decision indirectly enabled Senna to claim another championship with McLaren the following year. Prost’s reluctance to repeat the experience of battling one of his fiercest rivals within the same team was evident. Conversely, Prost began his career content to play a supporting role to Lauda and held deep admiration for the Austrian during their time as teammates at McLaren.

When Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell became Ferrari teammates during the 1990 season, the Frenchman decisively outperformed the Briton, even though the title ultimately went to Senna. Despite this, their partnership was far from harmonious.

In a 2018 interview on the *Beyond The Grid* podcast, Alain Prost shed light on his strained relationship with Nigel Mansell, expressing his belief that the British driver’s feelings of ‘jealousy’ contributed to the tension during their tenure at the Italian side.

The dynamics behind Nigel Mansell’s ‘jealousy’ toward Alain Prost at Ferrari

Prost was asked about his reputation for seemingly forcing his teammates into retirement during his time in Formula 1. He acknowledged that Keke Rosberg had been one of his best teammates, describing him as a true friend and an excellent driver. However, Prost noted that Rosberg may not have adapted well to McLaren’s approach and its philosophy for car setup, despite his skill.

Turning to Nigel Mansell, Prost remarked that Mansell was a different case altogether, stating that he could never fully understand why Mansell had been jealous, even mentioning that it stemmed from something as trivial as Prost being able to speak Italian. He suggested that such an attitude was unproductive.

In contrast, Prost highlighted his relationship with Niki Lauda, emphasizing that the two never had any issues or arguments during their two years as teammates.

Nigel Mansell showed confidence in his rivalry with Alain Prost
The dynamic between Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost during their two seasons together at Ferrari offered a compelling chapter in Formula 1 history.

Mansell ended the 1989 and 1990 seasons in fourth and fifth place, respectively, while Prost claimed the world championship in their debut year as teammates. The following year, Prost narrowly lost out on the title to Ayrton Senna, but he remained the stronger performer within the Ferrari camp.

Despite their time as teammates concluding after those two seasons, the competitive tension between the two drivers continued to linger, keeping their rivalry alive beyond their shared tenure at Ferrari.

Ahead of the brief Grand Prix Masters series, where Prost and Mansell were expected to reunite, Mansell remarked, as reported by Autosport, that the rivalry between them remained strong. He noted that Prost was highly competitive and would do everything possible to secure victory, adding that Prost particularly disliked losing to anyone, especially to him.

Nigel Mansell is convinced he would have dominated Alain Prost in 1993 if he had remained in Formula 1 instead of turning his attention to the CART series in the United States.

Although the showdown between the two never materialized, Mansell appeared determined to prove himself against Prost, who had once suggested that Mansell harbored ‘jealousy’ over his rapport with the Ferrari team. The potential clash between them remains one of the great “what-ifs” of Formula 1 history.

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The English lion, who won his first and only title in the top class thanks to the Williams FW14B, one of the most successful cars designed by the British engineer, believes Aston Martin made a fantastic deal in acquiring him, while the Maranello team will soon find itself regretting its choice.

“The fact that he went to Aston Martin was very smart on his part because he won’t get involved in Ferrari’s politics and the publicity that comes with it,” the former driver stated in a recent interview with Top Offshore Sportsbooks.

“I think Ferrari should lick its wounds a bit because they should have hired him, but of course, all the credit goes to Aston Martin. As soon as I heard that Ferrari opposed the possible salary figure requested by Adrian, I realized it was a lack of foresight on their part. They missed an opportunity because anyone who hires Adrian Newey is almost guaranteed a couple of fantastic years.” – he pointed out.

This view, however, contrasts with the belief of Frederic Vasseur, who argues that the team collective always comes before the individual, even if that individual has a staggering 25 titles between drivers and constructors.

“Adrian Newey? There have been discussions, yes,” the Frenchman said to L’Equipe a few weeks ago. “His ideas were probably different from those I had in mind for him. Maybe one day we will find common ground, but as I said, it’s not a single person who changes a team’s results. The group is always stronger than the individual.” – the former Formula 1 driver continued.

With Enrico Cardile also moving to Aston Martin, it will be Loic Serra’s responsibility to drive the development of the 2025 Formula 1 project and especially 2026, assisted by Fabio Montecchi on Chassis Project Engineering and Diego Tondi on aerodynamics.

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The 2024 Formula 1 campaign is quickly coming to an end, with the World Championship battle still wide open. The last six races of the season will focus on the fight between Red Bull and McLaren, between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, with Ferrari and Charles Leclerc playing a more outsider role. 2025 is already on the horizon, followed by the even more intriguing 2026.

In just a few months, there will be two major changes in the “Big Four” of the grid: Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari, replacing Carlos Sainz, while his seat at Mercedes will be filled by Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Much more will be said about Lewis Hamilton’s move to the Prancing Horse, but one thing is certain: driving a Ferrari is something special.

“I’ve always been a fan of Lewis Hamilton and I predicted he would become one of the greatest of all time,” Nigel Mansell explains to Top Offshore Sportsbooks. “I think ending his Formula 1 career by moving to Ferrari is a magical step for him. He won’t realize it immediately, but as a former Ferrari driver in Formula 1, driving for Ferrari is something incredibly special.” – Nigel Mansell added.

“If you give Lewis the car, he will do his job: I predict he will have a fantastic time at Ferrari,” the Briton continues. “He’ll have an extra gear. He’ll be motivated again, and I expect him to fight for the World Championship. Lewis can be eccentric at times, but he’s a class act. No one can take away his achievements. Yes, he’s had great cars and fantastic support and everything else, but Lewis is a great driver. I hope he can make it next year.” – the former Ferrari driver concluded.

Source: f1ingenerale

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The race, however, was marred by drama involving Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell. Senna, competing with Prost for the championship, was forced to retire after a collision with Nigel Mansell’s Ferrari. Nigel Mansell had been black-flagged earlier in the race for illegally reversing in the pit lane, but the incident ended both drivers’ races and added another chapter to their intense rivalry.

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In the upcoming season, Lewis Hamilton will sport the red colors as he exercises his option to depart from Mercedes, one year into his current two-year contract. The seven-time World Champion has opted for a multi-year deal with Ferrari, fulfilling a “childhood dream.”

Despite turning 40 before hitting the track in the 2025 Ferrari F1 car, former team owner Giancarlo Minardi questions the signing, suggesting Ferrari should have opted for “young talent” instead of a “40-year-old champion.”

Contrary to this view, Nigel Mansell disagrees, drawing from his own experience as he won the 1992 World title at the age of 39. He dismisses concerns about Hamilton’s age, stating, “People are saying Lewis is now too old at 39? No. I won my championship at 39, and I could have gone on, but the politics got involved. But Lewis, if he’s motivated, has several, if not many more years left. I think it’s just fantastic.”

When Lewis Hamilton joins Scuderia Ferrari, he won’t be the oldest driver on the grid, with Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, expected to remain at the team or possibly take Hamilton’s Mercedes seat, turning 43 this July. Fernando Alonso, along with other drivers like Carlos Sainz, previously at Ferrari, has been linked to the vacant Mercedes drive.

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Nigel Mansell’s comment:
“People say Lewis is now too old,” begins the Englishman in an interview with the BBC. “At 39? No. I won my championship at 39, and I could have continued, but politics came into play. Lewis, if he’s motivated, has several years, if not many. I think it’s just fantastic.”

The British lion is the perfect example of how one can still be perfectly capable of fighting for the title even at an advanced (sporting) age. Fernando Alonso, at the ripe age of 42, demonstrated in 2023 that he could easily compete with today’s “kids” with a competitive car.

The same goes for Lewis Hamilton, who, despite a W14 significantly inferior to the RB19, often found himself on the podium last year, finishing third in the driver’s championship, only behind the two unreachable Red Bulls.

The current dominator of Formula 1 has only one name, Max Verstappen. At just 26, the Dutch driver has already won three titles, and everything suggests that the fourth seal could arrive this year.

However, according to Nigel Mansell, both Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari can challenge him: “Lewis can do it, but I’m sure Max will do everything to stop him. I’m also sure that Ferrari will do everything next year to beat him. I think we have an exciting Formula 1 season ahead, and it certainly seems that in 2025, we’ll have an exciting one.” – he pointed out.

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With the expected move to Ferrari in 2025, Hamilton will do everything to end his multi-decade adventure with Mercedes on a high note, allowing him to become, alongside Michael Schumacher, the most decorated driver of all time.

Source: f1ingenerale

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