Will Lewis Hamilton be able to adapt at Ferrari? Anthony Davidson: "Just look at Alonso"
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It remains the hottest topic. The subject that dominated discussions throughout the entire 2024 season and will continue to be debated for much of the new Formula 1 year. Of course, we are talking about the seven-time world champion's move to Maranello. The question, however, is whether Hamilton will be able to adapt to Ferrari. Anthony Davidson weighs in, comparing the Briton to Fernando Alonso.
Lewis Hamilton's work at Ferrari has officially begun. In the final days of January, the seven-time world champion made his debut at Fiorano and, a few days later, at the Barcelona circuit. There, both Hamilton and Leclerc participated in two private test sessions: one aboard the SF23 and another with the SF24 for Pirelli testing.
Difficulties were not lacking. At the team’s private circuit, due in part to weather conditions, the Briton made several mistakes. Fans who had been camped out on the Fiorano bridge since dawn witnessed rear-end losses and front-wheel lock-ups multiple times.
Things got worse in Barcelona. On the second day of testing, Lewis Hamilton lost control of the car at high speed, crashing violently into the barriers. As a result, Charles Leclerc's session was also compromised due to the damage.
It has not been an easy adaptation. Hamilton must get used to something completely different: a completely different philosophy, a different braking system, and, above all, a different power unit. Since his F1 debut in 2007, car number 44 has never driven a car powered by anything other than a Mercedes engine.
This is precisely where former racing driver Anthony Davidson stepped in, drawing a comparison with Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard is one of the few drivers to have raced with a wide variety of power units.
Renault, when he won his two world titles in 2005 and 2006, Mercedes during his McLaren years, Ferrari, and most likely the Honda engine that will power Aston Martin from 2026. "I think Lewis himself will be eager to see how long it takes to adapt properly," Anthony Davidson told RacingNews365.
"He has always raced with Mercedes power units, and switching to something else will be tough. No matter how good you are, learning to handle a new powertrain takes time. But then you look at Fernando Alonso, who has driven with so many different engines. The Spaniard has a very similar background to Lewis in terms of experience and skill behind the wheel. So I think it's absolutely possible for Hamilton too." – he concluded.
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