Seven-time Components 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will be a part of Scuderia Ferrari subsequent season, partnering Charles Leclerc as he embarks on a quest to say an unprecedented eighth world championship title.
The British driver leaves Mercedes after a difficult conclusion to his tenure with the group. The Silver Arrows have struggled underneath the ground-effect laws launched two years in the past, which hampered their competitiveness.
Over the previous three seasons, Lewis Hamilton managed to safe simply two race wins, one in every of which got here underneath uncommon circumstances at this 12 months’s Belgian Grand Prix after teammate George Russell was disqualified. Switching to the Maranello group presents a recent problem for the seven-time champion, however Lewis Hamilton should mood his self-critical nature, usually evident in post-race interviews, if he’s to thrive on this new atmosphere.
Matching Charles Leclerc, his highly-rated new teammate, won’t be straightforward. Former driver and pundit Martin Brundle considers Charles Leclerc the quickest competitor in Components 1, setting the stage for an intense intra-team rivalry.
The partnership of the British and the Monegasque driver has immense potential, however former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo insists that the group should prioritise “readability in administration” to completely capitalise on their new recruit’s skills. The Italian aspect demonstrated progress this 12 months, ending second within the Constructors’ Championship, solely 14 factors behind McLaren. Highlights included victories in Monaco and the Italian Grand Prix on the Monza circuit in entrance of the Tifosi with Charles Leclerc, however pricey setbacks, equivalent to a double retirement on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, undermined their marketing campaign.
Regardless of Lewis Hamilton’s record-breaking profession and his standing because the winningest driver in Components 1 historical past, Luca Di Montezemolo believes Ferrari has taken a calculated threat in signing him. In a latest interview for Rai.television, the Italian businessman defined: “Hamilton is a phenomenon like Max Verstappen. His arrival at Ferrari isn’t a advertising and marketing operation: he desires to finish his profession by successful in purple. However the alternative of Lewis, on the one hand, is a threat as a result of it takes a champion who has gained quite a bit and who involves Ferrari to win. However, there may be Leclerc, who, regardless of having good races, has by no means been champion, and the years go by.” – the previous Ferrari chairman defined – “It is going to be a really fascinating 12 months for Ferrari, offered that it manages to bridge the hole with McLaren to start out aggressive from the primary race. There should even be readability on the administration throughout the group.” – he added.
Having two championship-caliber drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on the identical group introduces an inherent degree of threat for Ferrari.
Each drivers possess the talent and ambition to claim themselves because the group’s major contender, which may result in pressure, significantly if Ferrari delivers a automotive able to persistently competing on the entrance all through the season.
Lewis Hamilton Faces a Qualifying Problem Subsequent Season
All through his illustrious profession, Lewis Hamilton has usually been untouchable in qualifying, amassing a document 104 pole positions. Nevertheless, this season painted a unique image.
George Russell decisively outperformed Lewis Hamilton in qualifying, ending the 12 months with a 19-5 benefit over his senior teammate. Beginning additional again on the grid considerably difficult Hamilton’s races, as overtaking stays a formidable problem in fashionable Components 1.
With the competitors between all 10 groups rising tighter, securing a robust beginning place has change into extra important than ever for race-day success. A constant qualifying efficiency is crucial to be within the hunt for victories.
The Maranello group’s automotive, reputed to be extra forgiving to drive than Mercedes’ unpredictable machine, may give Hamilton the instruments he must rediscover his one-lap dominance. A extra steady platform might assist the seven-time world champion regain the boldness that has lengthy made him a pressure to be reckoned with in qualifying classes.
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