Japanese star warns of a challenging start for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari after concerning testing observations
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Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated first season with Ferrari is drawing significant attention from F1 fans and experts around the world.
The upcoming Australian Grand Prix marks Hamilton's third debut at the Melbourne race, following his successful starts with McLaren and Mercedes. With two wins in Melbourne and a remarkable ten podium finishes at the track, Lewis Hamilton is eager to extend his success to Ferrari, hoping for a strong performance in his first race with the Scuderia.
However, Hamilton enters one of the most competitive seasons in Formula 1 history, facing not only the challenge of adapting to a new team but also the additional difficulty of competing against rivals who have stayed with the same team year after year. Unlike his competitors, Lewis Hamilton is still in the process of integrating with Ferrari, working closely with his new race engineer Riccardo Adami to familiarize himself with the team's procedures and car setup—an adjustment that adds a layer of complexity to his already challenging task.
His teammate, Charles Leclerc, enters the 2025 season with a slight advantage, as he has a deeper understanding of the Ferrari car and its nuances, a key factor that will play a significant role in their intra-team rivalry. Leclerc will be keen to prove that he is capable of challenging a seven-time world champion like Hamilton, and their dynamic will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting storylines of the season.
Lewis Hamilton's arrival at Ferrari has made him the focal point of Formula 1 ahead of the new campaign. His status as one of the sport's greatest drivers has already sparked numerous discussions, with pundits offering varying predictions. Martin Brundle has boldly speculated on Hamilton's chances for 2025, while former world champion Damon Hill has expressed concerns that Hamilton may have lost some of his edge after nearly two decades in Formula 1.
The latest former driver to weigh in on the British driver’s Ferrari debut is Japanese F1 star Shinji Nakano. In an exclusive interview with *as-web.jp*, Nakano shared his insights from pre-season testing, suggesting that Hamilton may face a challenging start with Ferrari. He noted several signs that the British driver is struggling with the car's setup and that it might take him longer than expected to adjust to the 2025 Ferrari F1 car.
Reflecting on the testing in Bahrain, Nakano shared his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s performance during the three days in the desert. He noted that of all the drivers transitioning to new teams, Hamilton was drawing the most attention. While Hamilton posted the second-fastest time overall, just behind Carlos Sainz, Shinji Nakano observed that he appeared to be struggling with the Ferrari car.
He pointed out that the SF-25, Ferrari's new car, still seemed to have the same slightly peaky behavior as the previous year's model. Nakano clarified that he wasn't sure what kind of testing program Ferrari had planned, but based on the car's movements, it seemed clear that the issues with peakiness hadn't been easily addressed.
Shinji Nakano suggested that adjustments would likely be made, both to the car and Lewis Hamilton's own driving style, as they work to refine the package. However, he expressed the impression that it would be a challenging start for Hamilton in his first season with Ferrari.
Ferrari’s Strong Record at the Australian Grand Prix: Aiming to Maintain Dominance
Shinji Nakano may not be the most high-profile figure to comment on Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari, but his observations seem to hold some weight. Nakano, who competed in Formula 1 for just two seasons, earned points on two occasions during his debut year with Prost in 1997. Despite being outpaced by teammates Olivier Panis and Jarno Trulli, Nakano's brief F1 career was notable for his performance in a competitive field. After his time with Prost, Nakano raced with Minardi in 1998 but failed to add to his career tally before transitioning to racing in CART and IndyCar.
Although Nakano's credentials may not place him among the sport’s elite, his analysis of Hamilton's current situation at Ferrari appears to have merit. According to Nakano, Hamilton has requested a change to his Ferrari car—one that hasn't been seen in over a decade—as part of his efforts to maximize his chances for success at the Australian Grand Prix. This adjustment reflects Hamilton's desire to hit the ground running in his first season with the Scuderia.
Ferrari's historical success at the Australian Grand Prix cannot be overlooked, as the team has proven to be the most successful at the iconic Melbourne circuit. Last season, Carlos Sainz further cemented Ferrari’s dominance by adding another victory to their tally, reinforcing their strong position in the race. This year, however, will bring new challenges, particularly with Hamilton now driving for Ferrari, a development that has garnered considerable attention.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari's established driver, will be eager to start the season on a high note and prevent Lewis Hamilton from gaining momentum in his first campaign with the team. Leclerc, who has long been the team's lead driver, will be determined to assert his dominance and prevent Hamilton from overshadowing him in the early stages of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Despite Ferrari's formidable presence, several drivers from rival teams will be hoping to spoil Lewis Hamilton's and Ferrari's aspirations at the Australian Grand Prix. With a competitive field in the 2025 season, it's clear that the race at Albert Park will be a crucial opportunity for drivers outside the Scuderia to make their mark and kickstart their campaign with a victory. As the excitement builds for the upcoming season, the pressure will be on Ferrari to continue their strong record at this prestigious event while navigating the challenges posed by their new driver lineup.
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