Why Lewis Hamilton's first year with Ferrari will not the same as Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso's
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Lewis Hamilton is on the brink of beginning a new chapter in his illustrious career, preparing to make his race debut with one of the most iconic teams in Formula 1 history as he lines up on the grid for the season opener in Melbourne.
Expectations are high as Lewis Hamilton embarks on this challenge with Ferrari, a team where achieving what he aims for has not been done in over half a century. His arrival in Maranello carries significant weight, as he attempts to secure a historic eighth world championship—something no driver has ever accomplished.
At 40 years old, the British driver is defying the conventional age limits of F1 success. If he manages to claim another title, he will not only surpass Michael Schumacher's long-standing record but also become the first driver since Jack Brabham in 1966 to win a championship at this stage of his career. It is a feat that would cement his legacy even further, proving that experience and skill can still triumph over youth in the modern era of Formula 1.
With Ferrari showing strong competitiveness at the end of the previous season, Sky Sports commentator and F1 expert David Croft believes that 2025 could present Hamilton with his best opportunity to win another title. The regulation changes set for 2026 are expected to disrupt the current hierarchy, making this season potentially the last chance to capitalize on an established pecking order before the sport undergoes a major reset.
When discussing whether Hamilton faces additional pressure to deliver, former Dutch racing driver Jeroen Bleekemolen shared his thoughts with RacingNews365.nl, explaining why the expectations surrounding Lewis Hamilton differ from those faced by Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel during their time at Ferrari.
Why Lewis Hamilton's pressure differs from Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari struggles
The British driver is determined to ensure that his tenure at Ferrari does not mirror those of Vettel and Alonso, both of whom came close but ultimately failed to secure a title with the Scuderia. While both drivers arrived with high expectations and immense talent, they left without fulfilling their championship ambitions, falling short despite multiple near-misses.
According to Jeroen Bleekemolen, the level of pressure Hamilton faces is fundamentally different. Unlike Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who had unfinished business in F1 when they joined the Maranello team, Lewis Hamilton has already achieved almost every record possible in the sport. His legacy is secure, and there is little left for him to prove. Instead of fighting for validation, Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari is about chasing an ambitious final challenge—one that, if successful, would only further solidify his place in the history books rather than define his career.
The Dutch professional racing driver noted that at Ferrari, the pressure is always immense, as the team faces severe criticism if they fail to produce a competitive car. He pointed out that even with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, the team was unable to secure a championship, and despite Alonso coming close twice, his time at Ferrari was ultimately regarded as a failure.
He went on to explain that Hamilton no longer needs to prove anything, as he is currently the greatest driver in the sport. According to Jeroen Bleekemolen, the only driver who could potentially challenge Hamilton's legacy is Max Verstappen. He suggested that even if Hamilton had a poor season and decided to leave Formula 1, his status as the greatest of all time would remain intact. However, he also believed that while Hamilton should avoid putting too much pressure on himself, his strong motivation could make him unwilling to settle for anything less than victory, with second place likely to frustrate him.
The key statistic that would solidify Lewis Hamilton's place among the greatest drivers in F1 history
The Italian side will represent the first instance in Hamilton's illustrious F1 career where he competes with a team powered by an engine other than Mercedes. Having debuted in 2007 with McLaren, which utilized V8 engines, Hamilton's association with Mercedes has been a defining feature of his career.
It is often said that a true F1 great is measured by their adaptability and their ability to secure multiple world championships with different teams. This is a feat Juan Manuel Fangio exemplified with his five titles across various manufacturers.
Although Lewis Hamilton has already clinched championships with two different teams, winning with a third engine supplier, particularly one as renowned as Ferrari, would undoubtedly cement his status among F1's all-time greats.
One potential scenario that could lead Hamilton to retire earlier than expected is if Ferrari struggles to be competitive throughout the season. However, it seems likely that Ferrari could offer him a legitimate shot at capturing his first championship since 2021, keeping his championship aspirations alive.
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