After the hype, comes the strain and weight of expectation.
The curiosity in Lewis Hamilton’s first few weeks at Ferrari has been nothing wanting outstanding. Followers cramming themselves onto the bridge that overlooks the corporate’s Fiorano take a look at monitor isn’t precisely uncommon, however the sheer numbers, the media presence, the makes an attempt to delve into lap instances on a humid and chilly circuit when objects akin to consolation and procedures are prime of the agenda — the eye was enormous.
Ferrari’s social media accounts felt an enormous bump too, with each probability to see Hamilton in purple being lapped up by hundreds of thousands. And I’m not exaggerating with the usage of hundreds of thousands, as a number of posts on Instagram acquired comfortably over seven figures when it comes to interactions.
To be honest to Ferrari, it has taken loads of alternatives to construct on the cravings of followers. With the testing of earlier automotive (TPC) outing at Fiorano being adopted by one other in Barcelona final week, after which much more Pirelli tire testing on the similar venue over the previous few days, there have been quite a lot of probabilities to seize Hamilton in purple. And that’s even earlier than the discharge of the brand new driver overalls and workforce equipment.
The content material is prone to hold coming, as a result of it carries such vital worth, however with every passing picture or video of Hamilton driving a Ferrari we are going to all turn into that bit extra accustomed to it, and the novelty will begin to put on off.
And that’s when the intense enterprise will start.
The shock of seeing No. 44 in purple could also be sporting off, however the drama it’s constructing is simply getting began.
Don’t get me flawed, Ferrari and Hamilton (and Charles Leclerc) have been working onerous already and will definitely rely the previous few weeks as critical enterprise, however there’s a swell of pleasure of anticipation at this stage of the yr. That’s going to present strategy to expectation and actuality, and no person is aware of precisely how that’s going to look.
Ferrari was actually spectacular within the second half of final yr, as was Leclerc, with the pair prime scoring within the two respective championships from the summer season break onwards. Had Ferrari managed to beat McLaren to the constructors’ title in Abu Dhabi it could have been a outstanding achievement, however the general rating from Zandvoort onwards suggests the momentum is with Fred Vasseur’s workforce.
You may learn how Leclerc is primed for a vital yr on a private stage in Edd Straw’s newest column, however Ferrari is in an analogous place as a workforce general. It has constructed up a head of steam and put itself firmly within the dialog for profitable championships heading into 2025, alongside McLaren and Pink Bull. Something lower than that will be a disappointment.
There’s been little to recommend Ferrari will fail to ship on its promise, given the progress that has been displayed underneath Vasseur’s management. However that doesn’t imply there shall be something simple about making an attempt to proceed that good type.
At this level, merely seeing Hamilton and Ferrari working collectively remains to be thrilling, however as soon as pre-season testing will get underway and the true problem of tackling races involves the fore, then outcomes are going to be the principle supply of curiosity and positivity.
Hamilton didn’t be a part of Ferrari to ease into retirement. There can have been a number of causes, however even should you simply have a look at it on a easy, sporting stage, he’s shifting from a Mercedes workforce that has largely struggled within the floor impact period, to a workforce that has gained races in all the previous three seasons and proven better week-to-week consistency.
If the Ferrari is aggressive, then the strain is immediately going to be excessive between the 2 teammates. I’m not predicting a nasty relationship by any stretch, however when on one aspect of the storage there’s Leclerc, making an attempt to indicate Ferrari that he’s nonetheless the motive force who will ultimately ship a drivers’ championship getting into his seventh season with the Scuderia, and the opposite is Hamilton, who mechanically instructions respect wherever he drives given his unbelievable file, it’s not a easy dynamic.
But that may nonetheless be much better than if Ferrari isn’t fairly in race-winning type in the beginning of the season. Given the best way it ended final yr – and the one-two in Melbourne 12 months in the past – expectations are that the SF-25 shall be a challenger, however fall wanting that focus on and issues might turn into very tense, in a short time.
Leclerc has already construct a robust relationship with the Ferrari workforce and its tifosi, however racing alongside Hamilton will make a brand new dynamic.
Hamilton can’t afford to attend for much longer for one more correct shot at a drivers’ championship, and the massive regulation modifications of 2026 current a serious unknown. If it’s not this yr, then it may very well be a number of seasons earlier than one other probability presents itself.
And that will symbolize a barely extra pressing scenario for Leclerc, too. At 27 he has way more time on his aspect than Hamilton, after all, however the Monegasque seems to be smoothing sure tough edges and producing extra constant race performances that recommend he’s very near — if not already at — his prime. The dynamic for him has additionally modified from being Ferrari’s future to Ferrari’s now.
In fact, each of these situations are pre-emptive, however that is Ferrari, and that is Lewis Hamilton. For higher or worse, neither will get the good thing about endurance or caveats. They’ve each achieved an excessive amount of, and have an excessive amount of potential.
There was a glimpse of it when Hamilton broken the SF-23 throughout the TPC take a look at at Barcelona, with the automotive requiring repairs earlier than it might run once more. The scramble to seek out out what occurred, the protection such a second bought — when different drivers have most actually crashed throughout a TPC however by no means seen it reported — exhibits the extent of highlight that’s going to be on this partnership.
There are such a lot of permutations for a way this season might go, and the efficiency of the automotive will at all times be central to these. As soon as it runs in anger in Bahrain, the first-day-in-a-new-job bounce can have lengthy since been changed by the steely dedication of the rivals that exist inside Hamilton, Leclerc and Ferrari.
From then on, it would all play out in entrance of a world viewers, slightly than a number of hundred at Fiorano and thru the lens of Ferrari’s social media channels. Whichever route it takes from that time goes to be field workplace.
