Ferrari counting on Lewis Hamilton to steer clear of critical pit stop mistake from early Mercedes days
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Lewis Hamilton stands on the verge of a new chapter in his Formula 1 journey as he prepares to don Ferrari red for the first time.
The seven-time world champion's much-anticipated move to the Scuderia was confirmed in February of last year. After nearly a year of buildup, the moment he steps into the cockpit of Ferrari's iconic car is fast approaching. Hamilton has signed a multi-year deal with the team, likely marking the final phase of his illustrious career. Partnering with Charles Leclerc, the Briton will also reunite with Frederic Vasseur, his former GP2 boss, in this historic collaboration.
At the close of 2024, Hamilton bid an emotional goodbye to Mercedes, ending a 12-year stint that delivered countless triumphs. His ties with the brand stretch even further back, originating during his McLaren days. Now, the move to Ferrari presents a fresh challenge, requiring him to navigate a new team environment, a different culture, and one of the grid's strongest teammates in Charles Leclerc. This transition will demand seamless integration into the team's operations, a task Ferrari is already working hard to accomplish.
Preparations are underway as Hamilton gears up for pre-season testing in Bahrain next month. However, the Maranello team will be keen to avoid any missteps like the one Hamilton made during his debut season at Mercedes in 2013.
Lewis Hamilton's memorable pit stop blunder with Mercedes in 2013 is a lesson for Ferrari to heed.
Later this month, Lewis Hamilton is scheduled to test Ferrari's car at the Fiorano Circuit, an event steeped in motorsport history. Anticipation is already sky-high among Ferrari fans, with Emerson Fittipaldi remarking that all of Italy will pause to witness the moment Hamilton takes to the track in red for the first time.
However, Ferrari plans to keep the test low-key, focusing purely on preparing Hamilton for the season without the overwhelming fanfare that accompanied Michael Schumacher's debut with the team. Fred Vasseur has made it clear that the priority is to acclimate Hamilton to the team's environment and ensure he is fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
One aspect Ferrari will want to refine is their pit lane operations. This is particularly important after a humorous but memorable incident from Lewis Hamilton's first season with Mercedes. At the 2013 Chinese Grand Prix, in just his third race for the team, Lewis Hamilton mistakenly turned into McLaren's pit box during a stop. His former team quickly waved him through, allowing him to rejoin the pit lane and locate his actual crew. While the mix-up was met with laughter at the time—even from Lewis Hamilton's then-girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger—Ferrari will be keen to avoid such a scenario, especially with their garage likely positioned near Mercedes'.
Can Lewis Hamilton bring Ferrari back to glory
Ferrari's strong performance in 2024 offers hope that they can build on their momentum. The team narrowly missed out on the constructors' championship, finishing just 14 points behind McLaren. With Lewis Hamilton joining Leclerc, Ferrari boasts one of the most formidable driver pairings on the grid. Yet, Hamilton's arrival comes with lingering questions about whether he can put a difficult 2024 season behind him.
Last year marked the British driver’s lowest career finish, ending the season in seventh place. He struggled to match teammate George Russell's performances, particularly in qualifying, which proved to be a significant weakness. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has reportedly discussed these challenges openly with Fred Vasseur, aiming to address them swiftly and position himself as a title contender.
Interestingly, only Maurice Trintignant has ever secured a victory for Ferrari while sporting the number 44. Lewis Hamilton will hope to etch his name in history once again by taking that number to new heights with Ferrari, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling final act in his Formula 1 career.
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