Lewis Hamilton wants glory from the get-go at Ferrari (Image: Getty)
team principal plans to ‘make life difficult’ for and in 2025, despite admitting that the seven-time world champion’s unveiling as a Prancing Horse driver ‘excited him’ as a fan.
Hamilton is undergoing a rigorous pre-season testing and preparation programme ahead of his debut season with the Italian constructor. The Brit arrived in Maranello to much fanfare in mid-January and has completed track sessions in Fiorano and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The 40-year-old has his eyes set on a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ Championship title, but with a formidable team-mate in Charles Leclerc in his way and the threat of reigning constructors’ champions looming, the path to glory is far from straightforward.
“To be honest, as a fan of Formula One, by having been 15 years at before, I felt excited myself to see something that is historic for Formula One: seven-times World Champion going to , one of the most iconic teams,” Stella told Sky Sports F1.
“I think and Hamilton handled this very well, but ultimately, I’m sure they know very well that what counts is what’s happening on track. So after the initial excitement, I’m sure they will focus on making sure that the preparation is good.”
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Andrea Stella plans to make life tough for Hamilton and Ferrari (Image: Getty)
Despite his admiration for and Hamilton, Stella plans to cause the Italian constructor some pain in 2025. “On our side, we will try and make life a little bit difficult,” he pledged.
According to reports, are not resting on their laurels after a historic Constructors’ Championship title in 2024. Italian news outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Stella’s squad and title rivals are implementing ‘sweeping changes’ to their cars for the upcoming campaign.
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“We’re going into next year at full strength,” Racing CEO told . “I think we’re in a different mindset now in terms of the confidence of the team and the amount of bravery that the team is prepared to take in the development in next year’s car.
“The team is not [saying]: ‘Let’s just tweak a little here and there. The car is pretty good.’ We’ve got some stuff on next year’s car that is [a] ‘brave risk.’ I think you only get to the front if you try and beat everyone, as opposed to the mindset when we started this year, which was like: ‘Let’s just be as good as them.’ The mind shift is now: ‘Let’s beat everyone.’”