Lewis Hamilton is just one week away from making his debut race with Ferrari (Image: Getty)
The performance of at Ferrari is one of the most anticipated storylines approaching the 2025 F1 season. The seven-time world champion shocked the sporting world a year ago when he inked a multi-year deal with the iconic Italian squad.
After a disappointing farewell season at , which saw him bested by , Hamilton claims his move to has given him a new lease of life. The 40-year-old seems to have acclimatised swiftly to his new environment. Hamilton and had a generally positive pre-season test in Bahrain, although they seemed to trail reigning constructors’ champions . Ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, here’s how a perfect season could look for Hamilton as he chases an eighth world title…
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Verstappen quits Red Bull
Following the internal turmoil that affected last season, rumours linking with a departure have quietened. However, they haven’t completely disappeared, and there are said to be early termination clauses in the Dutchman’s contract, which is set to expire at the end of 2028.
team principal openly courted the Verstappen camp last season – much to the irritation of counterpart – but as it stands, Aston Martin would be his most probable landing spot if the world champion decides he needs a new challenge.
That is only likely if endures the same handling issues that plagued them for much of last season – or if there are any more off-track dramas. Verstappen being out of the title picture would be an obvious boost to Hamilton’s own chances.
If Verstappen loses faith in his team, he might consider moving on in 2026, which will see a major overhaul in technical regulations. Despite their struggles heading into 2025, ambitious Aston Martin have grand plans, having recruited Adrian Newey, the greatest designer in F1 history and the brains behind Verstappen’s success.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull are on the backfoot going into 2025 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Norris history repeated
enters 2025 as the favourite for the drivers’ title after a strong, albeit imperfect, 2024. The British driver finally clinched his first Grand Prix victory in Miami and secured three other wins to edge out Charles Leclerc for second place in the final standings.
However, he was too weak during his battles with the ruthless Verstappen, who admittedly had a large early-season points lead to defend. Norris and his team made too many errors, often appearing indecisive as they tried to keep teammate Oscar Piastri happy. A repeat in 2025 will pave the way for Hamilton, who knows better than anyone what it takes to win a title battle.
Hamilton regains qualifying mojo
Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg, Russell – Hamilton has had some incredibly tough teammates over the years. But in Leclerc, he faces his toughest internal team battle yet.
Hamilton will find it tough to get the better of Charles Leclerc (Image: Getty Images)
The Monegasque, who has been with the team for over a decade after joining its driver academy, is unlikely to defer to Hamilton unless the title situation demands it. Leclerc isn’t just deeply rooted in the team; he is also incredibly fast, particularly in qualifying, which has been a weak point for Hamilton in recent years.
Since 2021, he has only had one pole and was regularly outperformed on Saturdays by Russell last season. He struggled to get the most out of his following the 2022 regulation change.
However, early indications suggest that the might be more suited to his driving style. If that proves true, Hamilton, who holds an impressive record of 104 poles, could regain his qualifying prowess, which would be crucial for any title challenge.