Lewis Hamilton has now taken in his first laps as a Ferrari driver.

 

Gerhard Berger has said a World Championship for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari would be “the greatest thing that has ever happened in Formula 1 in terms of marketing.”

 

Hamilton made the move to the Scuderia from Mercedes after a 12-season stint in time for the 2025 season, where he is looking to win a record eighth Drivers’ title.

 

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari title would be ‘greatest thing that has ever happened in F1 in terms of marketing’

This move already sees the sport’s most statistically successful driver head to its most storied and historic team, with Ferrari seemingly on the rise once again, having gone close to last season’s Constructors’ Championship.

 

The scores are reset to zero once again, however, as the new cars prepare to be rolled out for the 2025 season, and Hamilton starts to drive for only his third team in his Formula 1 career.

 

Given the huge interest in this move from both within and outside the Formula 1 paddock, former Ferrari driver Berger believes that a Hamilton title as a Ferrari driver would go beyond what happens on track.

 

When asked if it would be possible for the seven-time champion to be crowned again at his new team, Berger told Auto Motor und Sport: “Yes. If Hamilton could become World Champion in a Ferrari, it would be the greatest thing that has ever happened in Formula 1 in terms of marketing.”

 

Berger highlighted the influence of Fred Vasseur and how he has helped reshape the Scuderia since taking on the role of team principal.

 

While it remains that Ferrari have not won a title since the 2008 Constructors’ Championship, the former Ferrari driver believes they should be involved in at least one of the fights this season, particularly by bringing Hamilton in to partner Charles Leclerc.

 

“I would put my money on Ferrari this season,” he said.

 

“I can’t say whether Hamilton or Leclerc will win the Drivers‘ or Constructors’ World Championship, but they will win a title. That’s my personal impression.

 

“Ferrari was almost always fast last year, with a few slip-ups. I trust Fred Vasseur to get this volatility out of the system. It took a while, but I think they are very close.

 

 

“They are well positioned in terms of engine and chassis and have top drivers. Vasseur makes a good impression. He is calm, thoughtful, always on point, and he delivers.

 

“That has been the case at all the stations in the motorsport world where he has been so far. It was a good decision by Ferrari to sign him. And it was clear that it would take a year or two for his work to pay off.

 

“Now I have the feeling that it’s starting to work. I also think it’s great that he got Hamilton. Vasseur will bring Ferrari back to the top.”

Hamilton to Ferrari is one of the most talked about driver moves in modern F1 history and the motorsport world is waiting to see if the seven-time champion can revitalise his form and end the Scuderia’s protracted title drought.

Ferrari finished just 14 points shy of McLaren in last year’s Constructors’ title race and Norris grew up watching Hamilton ascend to F1 superstardom so the would-be champion is well-placed to comment on the blockbuster partnership that has been formed in Maranello.

Speaking to Sky Sports following the launch of the McLaren 2025 challenger, Norris was probed on whether people would see a rejuvenated Hamilton at Ferrari.

I would have thought so,” he replied. “I don’t know. Again, everyone’s different.

“I think it’s cool what he’s doing and what he’s done and going to Ferrari. I think it’s very special. I think Ferrari is incredible.”

After a tumultuous final season with Mercedes, Hamilton needed a new environment to reinvigorate his form and the smile on the Briton’s face since joining Ferrari has been captured on multiple occasions.

Norris can see why Hamilton is motivated joining a team with Ferrari’s stature but also feels it’s wrong to rule him out, despite what others may think after the 2024 campaign.

“I feel like he would struggle to find any reasons to not be motivated,” Norris said.

“You know, it’s an incredible opportunity for him. It’s a cool story.

I’m sure there’s a lot of bonuses with a lot of things going over to Ferrari, so there’s a lot of reasons to be more motivated and be ready to go.

“It’s Lewis and I think anyone who doubts him is a bit silly.”

Norris isn’t the only McLaren driver who has been posed the question about Hamilton racing for Ferrari.

Oscar Piastri, returning to guest on the Fast and the Curious podcast, was asked what Hamilton winning in red would mean.

Ever the competitor, Piastri took his racing reality out of the equation.

 

It’s been more than three years since Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen regularly battled each other on track for supremacy in Formula 1.

 

The 2021 Formula 1 season will forever go down as one of the most intense fights for the drivers’ championship in the sport’s history.

 

Hamilton and Verstappen had some spectacular on-track clashes and produced some remarkable wheel-to-wheel action, although it occasionally went over the line.

 

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff regretted not talking to Verstappen’s father after his huge crash at Silverstone that year.

 

The pair ran into each other at Monza and in Saudi Arabia, but the championship ultimately came down to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

 

Red Bull’s star came out on top after a controversial final lap, but it ended up being a turning point in both of their careers.

 

Verstappen is now a four-time champion and hoping to match Michael Schumacher’s record of winning five titles on the bounce.

 

Hamilton has won just two Grand Prix since that day and now embarks on his latest challenge at Ferrari.

 

 

Separating both drivers, as well as F1 legends Schumacher and Ayrton Senna isn’t an easy task.

 

However, 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill was posed this question on Lucas Stewart’s YouTube channel and gave a very diplomatic answer.

 

Damon Hill gives verdict on who has more natural talent between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen

 

Hill was asked to rank Senna, Schumacher, Hamilton and Verstappen and said: “I think it’s very difficult to actually just make an order, you have to have a criteria next to that.

 

“In what way are they better than the others?

 

“Sheer speed, Ayrton. Unbelievable natural talent, just innate natural talent is Lewis.”

 

Hill was challenged on whether he would put Verstappen’s ability down to natural talent and clarified, “Max has got natural talent and he’s got very few weak spots as well.

 

“Michael was someone who, he built himself. I think he just became a machine, a winning machine through hard work and knowledge, and that can be said of Max as well.

 

“I’m not saying the others didn’t work hard, they worked hard as well.”

 

 

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton could be racing again in 2025

The 2025 Formula 1 season has the potential to reunite Hamilton and Verstappen at the front of the grid.

 

Red Bull fell away as last season progressed, but Verstappen still managed to comfortably win a fourth championship.

 

Although Hamilton struggled at times at Mercedes, particularly in qualifying, he showed signs of still being the driver that has the most wins in the history of the sport.

 

Hamilton was praised for his recovery drive in Abu Dhabi and would have likely won in Las Vegas had he not made mistakes during qualifying that saw him start P10.

 

Ferrari have a very good chance of having the fastest car in 2025 considering how they ended last year.

 

If that’s the case, then Hamilton and new teammate Charles Leclerc will be up against Verstappen, both McLaren drivers and George Russell every weekend.

 

It’s set to be an unbelievably tight season unless one team exposes a loophole in the ruleset, although resources will quickly be shifted towards the 2026 car when the regulations change.

 

 

Lewis Hamilton is just a few weeks away from making his Ferrari debut.

 

Sir Jackie Stewart has expressed surprise at Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

 

The move marks the end of Hamilton’s 12-year stint with Mercedes, where he secured six of his seven world championships.

 

The three-time world champion Stewart shared his assessment with Sky Sports, acknowledging the significance of Hamilton’s switch to the Italian team.

 

The British racing legend believes Hamilton’s vast experience in the sport could prove valuable at Ferrari, noting: “He’s more experienced than he was last year and the years before that, he knows the business very well.”

 

Lewis Hamilton is just a few weeks away from his F1 debut

Lewis Hamilton is just a few weeks away from his F1 debut

 

 

 

Stewart emphasised Ferrari’s unparalleled global recognition in motorsport.

 

“Ferrari is the biggest name in the world,” Stewart added.

 

“If you went to a Masai warrior in the middle of Africa and said, ‘Do you know anything about Ferrari?’ They would know the name Ferrari.”

 

Despite his initial surprise at Hamilton’s move, Stewart remains optimistic about the team’s prospects.

 

“Going to Ferrari is very colourful, very exciting and usually very successful. I wouldn’t count them out, to put it that way,” the three-time world champion added.

 

Ferrari will field one of F1’s strongest driver pairings in 2025, with Hamilton joining Charles Leclerc.

 

Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to fight for regular race wins

Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to fight for regular race wins

 

 

 

The Italian team has endured a lengthy championship drought, having not secured a constructors’ title since 2008.

 

However, Ferrari demonstrated their potential last season, narrowly missing out on the constructors’ championship.

 

They finished just 14 points behind McLaren in a closely fought battle for the title.

 

 

Michael Schumacher’s wife releases furious statement after blackmail trial and makes worrying admission

 

 

Before 2024, F1 fans could only have dreamt of seeing Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in a straight fight for the drivers’ title.

 

Other theorists might have wondered which of the two would be the quicker driver, given equal machinery and conditions.

 

The highly anticipated 2025 Ferrari Formula 1 merch is available to buy right now.

 

Now, in 2025, those dreams have become a reality with the two fearsomely quick drivers set to do battle at Ferrari after Hamilton’s unveiling.

 

Hamilton has seven titles to his name and won two races in an inconsistent Mercedes last year, while Leclerc was victorious three times, including his maiden home win in Monaco.

 

But the question remains over who will emerge superior come Abu Dhabi in 2025.

 

Click here to get your hands on the first Ferrari hat featuring Hamilton’s iconic driver number 44.

 

 

Lewis Hamilton took an emotional win at Silverstone in 2024

 

Charles Leclerc claimed his first Monaco victory

Can Leclerc edge Hamilton at Ferrari?

Given the battle between the racers in red will be so tight, it’s worth a look at the odds market to decipher who may come out on top.

 

Leclerc appears to be the early favourite to beat Hamilton, according to bookmakers Betfair.

 

 

Charles Leclerc is tipped to beat Lewis Hamilton in 2025

The Monegasque ace has been priced at 4/9 (-225) to beat his more experienced teammate, with Hamilton a tempting 7/5 (+140).

 

Based on last season, when third-placed Leclerc scored 133 more points than Hamilton, in seventh, the Ferrari darling certainly appears to be in pole position to earn bragging rights.

 

However, Hamilton has rarely been an underdog in his career and may be transported back to 2007 when he began the season as teammate to 2006 champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren.

 

As an official partner of Ferrari F1 team, the PUMA website now stock the 2025 team kit along with a stylish selection of the Scuderia’s merch.

 

 

 

Lewis Hamilton’s arrival and subsequent adaptation to driving for Ferrari has been one of the biggest stories of the Formula 1 off-season.

 

Thousands turned up to witness Hamilton’s first run at Fiorano and he will be at the centre of everyone’s attention when he rocks up in Bahrain for pre-season testing.

 

Hamilton will have to share the three days of running at the Bahrain International Circuit with new Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

 

That will likely put him on the back foot, to begin with this season as although both drivers will have equal time in Ferrari’s 2025 car, Leclerc has much more experience when it comes to working with the Italian team.

 

However, one thing that Hamilton can do at Maranello is get as accustomed as possible to working with his new colleagues.

 

After 12 seasons with Mercedes, he would have known all the smallest intricacies of that organisation.

 

Ferrari is a completely new environment for the 40-year-old and not only that, he also has to win over the infamous hard-to-please Tifosi.

 

Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver in Ferrari’s history, and while he’s revered in Maranello now, that wasn’t always the case.

 

 

Hamilton has just done something while speaking to Ferrari’s employees that will help the team’s fans warm to him even faster than they already have done after his brief appearances in red over the past few weeks.

 

Lewis Hamilton gives speech in Italian to Ferrari fans ahead of the 2025 F1 season

Video footage emerged of Hamilton reading a speech off his phone in Italian to Ferrari staff, receiving plenty of encouragement from the crowd as he did so.

 

A report from Autoracer shared exactly what he said, with the seven-time world champion’s message translated as: “Thank you all for your warm welcome.

 

“I am happy to begin this new adventure with you, in Ferrari.

 

“It has always been my dream to be part of this team. I can’t wait to work with you. Thank you.”

 

Lewis Hamilton drives on the track during the first day of tests as a Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver at the Fiorano Circuit in Maranello, Italy, on Jan…

 

Journalist Jose M. Zapico explained on social media that this was something that Schumacher never did initially during his time with Ferrari.

 

He said: “Schumacher was never liked in Italy. He was more appreciated after his departure from Ferrari, he was called ‘The German’ and ‘Sochmacher’, which is a very ugly thing to say.

 

“He was criticised for never speaking a word of Italian. Lewis, he has taken the trouble to at least read it on his iPhone.”

 

 

What was Michael Schumacher’s reputation like at Ferrari at the start of his spell with the team?

A report from ESPN back in 2001 gives more details about the feeling Ferrari fans had for Schumacher just after he had won his first title with the team.

 

At the unveiling of that season’s car, Schumacher defended himself and said: “I am not a movie star, either things come naturally or they don’t. You can’t “learn” emotions.

 

He had been accused of being less emotional towards Ferrari than teammate Rubens Barrichello and the report from ESPN said that Schumacher had previously been seen as ‘cold and aloof’ before crying on the podium at Monza the previous season.

 

Schumacher admitted that he had always felt emotions towards Ferrari adding, “even if they were not always visible.

 

“Believe me I’ve cried before but you didn’t see me and I’ve laughed before but you didn’t see me.

 

“I have blood inside me. I am a human as well, there is just a different level where it happens.”

 

It was also telling that Schumacher spoke in Italian at this car launch, something that was ‘well received’ among the fans in the crowd.

 

Hamilton has clearly taken a page out of Schumacher’s book and while he hasn’t learned to speak Italian fluently, and may never have to given the team mainly functions in English, it’s very much appreciated that he’s gone to the extra effort of speaking in the team’s native language.

 

He’ll hope his performances on the track only enhance his reputation with Formula 1’s most passionate fanbase over the coming months.

According to the most recent vote made available to readers of GPFans, Lewis Hamilton defeated Charles Leclerc handily in their first meeting as teammates.

Following Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello, the Ferrari driver tandem made their official début in January, showcasing their new 2025 red race suits.

If they are rewarded with a race-winning vehicle, Hamilton and Leclerc should make up an evenly matched roster at Ferrari, with the tantalizing prospect of a title fight.

Both drivers have tested for Ferrari in Barcelona ahead of their 2025 race debut, showcasing much than just their speed.

Leclerc chose to wear the crimson and white of the Monaco flag for the 2025 season, while Hamilton also unveiled their new helmet designs.

However, Hamilton adopted an old-fashioned concept for the champion by going back to the yellow color scheme he used in his McLaren and Mercedes starts.

After crashing during Ferrari’s Barcelona testing earlier this week, Hamilton has started a pattern of reverting to his previous behaviors after joining a new team.

Throughout his Formula One career, Hamilton has really crashed during every testing session with a new team.

He had previously done this with McLaren and Mercedes before winning the drivers’ championship the following year.

F1 fans were asked in a recent GPFans survey which of the new designs they liked best, and Hamilton won his first significant victory over Leclerc in their first meeting.

Hamilton’s yellow helmet received an astounding 79% of the vote, which was a huge boost for the new Ferrari star.

In contrast, Leclerc only received 21% of the vote, suffering his first humiliating loss against the seven-time champion.

Before jumping into the 2025 challenger in Bahrain for crucial pre-season testing from February 26–28, the teammates will next take to the track in Barcelona in the SF-24 for Pirelli’s 2026 tire test on February 4 and 5.