Lewis Hamilton has been warned that his fate at Ferrari may already be sealed, with predictions suggesting an interesting Formula 1 season ahead. Carlos Sainz, who has joined Williams for the upcoming season, believes that Hamilton could struggle to match his new teammate Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. The British racing icon has left Mercedes after a successful stint, winning six of his seven F1 titles, to join the iconic red team at Ferrari.
The comparison between Hamilton and Leclerc is expected to be one of the key storylines of the 2025 season, set to kick off in less than a month. While Sainz often found himself behind Leclerc in qualifying sessions, their race performances were more evenly matched. During their time as teammates, Sainz secured four wins compared to Leclerc’s six. Despite not having an official status as the number one driver, Leclerc has been seen as Ferrari’s ‘golden boy’, having been part of the team’s driver academy for almost a decade.
With Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari, Sainz had to make way, moving to Williams for the upcoming season. When asked about his predictions for the 2025 drivers’ championship, Sainz did not include Hamilton in his top contenders. Instead, he mentioned Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Leclerc as potential winners, with the addition of George Russell if Mercedes produces a competitive car. Sainz highlighted the importance of how quickly Hamilton can adapt to the Ferrari, having only raced in Mercedes-powered cars throughout his F1 career.
Hamilton, on the other hand, is excited about his new chapter at Ferrari. During the F1 season launch event in London, he expressed his enthusiasm for the change, feeling invigorated and energised by the new challenge. The 40-year-old is looking forward to being part of the Ferrari team, describing the experience as something new and exciting.
As Hamilton embarks on this new journey at Ferrari, all eyes will be on how he adapts to the change and competes against his talented teammate Leclerc. With Sainz’s warning about Hamilton’s potential role as a supporting driver, the upcoming season promises to be full of excitement and intrigue for F1 fans worldwide. Stay tuned as the 2025 Formula 1 season unfolds, revealing whether Hamilton can overcome the challenge and make his mark at Ferrari.