Ferrari's overlooked misstep could complicate Lewis Hamilton's 2025 F1 campaign
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Scuderia Ferrari is determined to end its 17-year Formula 1 title drought, banking on Lewis Hamilton's arrival in 2025 to finally secure championship glory.
After narrowly missing out on the 2024 constructors' title to McLaren by just 14 points, the Italian squad sees Hamilton as the missing piece in their pursuit of silverware. His experience and racecraft could provide the edge the Maranello team needs to reclaim dominance.
However, early signs from pre-season testing suggest potential hurdles. Concerns over tyre degradation could become a major issue if similar struggles emerge at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc may find himself taking a leadership role within the team, particularly if he adopts some of Hamilton's successful techniques. Observers have also noted a shift in Lewis Hamilton's demeanor since joining Ferrari—he appears far more at ease in his new surroundings compared to his final years with Mercedes.
Has Ferrari Overlooked a Critical Factor That Could Affect Lewis Hamilton in 2025?
The Italian side has undergone significant technical changes over the winter, including a bold shift to a new front suspension layout. This aggressive approach is part of their all-in strategy for 2025, with the looming 2026 regulation overhaul offering a relatively risk-free window for experimentation.
Despite the radical updates, F1 analyst and expert Craig Scarborough remains skeptical about whether Ferrari's adoption of pull-rod suspension will be as transformative as some anticipate. While the change is a statement of intent, its true impact on Ferrari's title ambitions—and the British driver’s success—remains to be seen. Craig Scarborough stated that, based on the results from testing, he did not believe Ferrari had made a mistake. However, he acknowledged that factors such as wind tunnel restrictions, budget limitations, and the presence of two highly competitive drivers battling against six other strong competitors could complicate the season.
The Formula 1 expert went on to suggest that while the decision might not be an error from a technical standpoint, it could prove challenging in terms of managing the entire season. With major regulation changes set for 2026, he downplayed the significance of Ferrari's switch from push-rod to pull-rod front suspension, arguing that it was not as crucial as some had suggested. He also noted that the Italian press frequently speculated about such technical changes, often making bold predictions year after year.
Alex Brundle Identifies 'Horrid' Onboard Issue with Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari During F1 Testing
After three days of pre-season testing, Lewis Hamilton secured the second-fastest time, trailing only Carlos Sainz—the very driver he is replacing at Ferrari—who impressed on his Williams debut.
The most representative laps were set on the second day, as track and weather conditions were optimal. However, the final day presented more challenges, with shifting conditions making it harder to extract consistent performance.
It was during this trickier third day that Alex Brundle noticed something concerning in Hamilton's onboard footage, describing the car's behavior as 'horrid.' The unsettling handling could indicate a setup-related issue, as F1 machinery is notoriously sensitive to even minor adjustments. Ferrari will be hoping that whatever caused the instability is a straightforward fix rather than a deeper mechanical concern.
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