Lewis Hamilton believes this season could be pivotal for Ferrari as he tested their new SF-25 car in Fiorano, expressing optimism for their championship potential. With Ferrari’s last constructors title in 2008, Hamilton, aiming for a record eighth world title, praised the team’s passion and readiness to win. Despite recent struggles, including finishing far behind Max Verstappen, Hamilton feels reinvigorated in his new role at Ferrari. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and adapting to a new environment. As he prepares for the upcoming season, Hamilton is focused on helping Ferrari secure their first championship in years.
Lewis Hamilton believes that this could be the year for Ferrari after he had his first drive of the team’s new Formula One car on Wednesday, eyeing a record eighth world title. Hamilton excited hopeful supporters by taking the new SF-25 for a test run at Ferrari’s track in Fiorano Modenese, northern Italy, and even paused to acknowledge fans who dream of seeing the Italian team break their long championship drought. Ferrari last claimed the constructors’ title in 2008, and Kimi Raikkonen was the last driver to win the championship with them the previous year. When asked if he thought the ‘Scuderia’ was poised to clinch the world championship, Hamilton simply replied, “yes.”
“I’ve collaborated with two world championship-winning teams before; I understand what a winning team looks and feels like,” Hamilton told reporters.
“The passion here is unparalleled. They possess all the essential ingredients to win a world championship, and it’s about effectively piecing everything together.
“Everyone maintains a calm and positive attitude. No one assumes perfection in every aspect. The mindset is focused on improvement, and they’re exploring every avenue to achieve that.”
At 40, Hamilton isn’t just the biggest star in F1; he also serves as one of the sport’s elder statesmen, yet he radiates youthful enthusiasm for the new challenge at Ferrari after trailing behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during his last three seasons with Mercedes.
Since controversially losing the 2021 drivers’ title to Verstappen in the season finale, Hamilton has finished sixth, third, and then seventh in 2024, falling 214 points behind his Dutch rival, who has secured the last four championships.
In a video released by Ferrari earlier on Wednesday, Hamilton expressed his thoughts, stating that he believed “nothing was ever going to feel new again,” indicating his surprise at the rejuvenated spirit he’s experiencing.
“When I was much younger, I certainly didn’t expect that in my 19th season, or whatever it is, I’d be this excited,” Hamilton remarked.
“I never anticipated that at this stage in my career, I would feel such enthusiasm. I find myself eager to arrive at work early, to invest extra effort toward achieving my dreams… I’ve encountered a fresh wave of life and energy.
“For me, it’s about winning a championship with Ferrari; that’s my primary goal. I’m not focusing on number eight. I’m concentrating on the first championship that the team has secured in quite a while.”
Despite his numerous achievements, Hamilton has much to prove, having only won two Grands Prix last year, with his British GP victory in July marking the end of a two-and-a-half-year winless streak that dates back to the now-infamous 2021 season.
He acknowledges that acclimatizing to his new environment will be essential if he hopes to replicate his golden years with Mercedes.
“We are aware of the significant amount of work ahead; I understand that I have my share of work to accomplish,” he stated.
“However, the entire team has gone above and beyond to make me feel welcome, and I genuinely feel at home. I know I belong here; it feels natural and right, so we just have to keep investing our efforts and take each step as it comes.
“I’m doing everything possible to prepare for race one.”
Hamilton will have his first substantial drive of the new car during next week’s winter testing session in Bahrain, ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne next month.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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