Valtteri Bottas: "Ferrari is something new and refreshing for Lewis Hamilton"

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Championship Getting Closer
From the excitement of Ferrari fans last year, when Lewis Hamilton's contract signing with the Scuderia was announced, to the first images of the seven-time world champion behind the wheel of the red car, his debut with Ferrari in the world championship is getting closer. This comes after twelve years with Mercedes, five of which were spent as Valtteri Bottas's teammate.

Many former drivers see Hamilton's move to Maranello as a fascinating prospect, with some believing that this transition could serve as the foundation for his long-awaited eighth world title. Current drivers have also weighed in on the decision, including Lando Norris and the aforementioned Bottas, who has returned to Mercedes as a reserve driver. "He is very motivated for this year," Bottas told *Sky Sports*. "It's something new and refreshing for him, which can sometimes be a good stimulus, but it will also be interesting to see how he fares alongside Charles Leclerc."

2025 as a Show for Fans: Valtteri Bottas Agrees
Lewis Hamilton's arrival at Ferrari adds great intrigue to his new F1 chapter, alongside the uncertainties surrounding the upcoming season. The Scuderia could finally take the decisive step to claim the drivers’ title, which has been missing since 2007 and narrowly escaped them with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. At the same time, McLaren's significant growth—having won the Constructors' Championship—cannot be overlooked. Max Verstappen remains the man to beat, while Mercedes is another team looking to reclaim its place at the top, all ahead of 2026, when a new set of technical regulations will be introduced.

"It will be great to watch, I can already say that," Bottas continued when discussing the upcoming season. "The gaps at the front are quite small, even between four or five teams, so it will be really difficult to make predictions, which is a good thing. I think it's great for the fans and for the sport. The first races will set the tone, but as we saw last year with the small margins, if a team makes a step forward, it can change everything. Naturally, I hope Mercedes can be in the fight for the championship, as that's the goal for everyone."

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