Lewis Hamilton’s Difficult Begin at Ferrari in 2025 Attracts Comparisons to Rookie Kimi Antonelli
Lewis Hamilton continues to navigate unfamiliar territory at Ferrari because the 2025 System 1 season unfolds. 9 races into the marketing campaign, the seven-time World Champion has not delivered the affect many had envisioned when he made his high-profile transfer from Mercedes to Maranello.
Expectations have been sky-high throughout the low season, with hopes that Lewis Hamilton, paired with Charles Leclerc, would spearhead Ferrari’s return to championship rivalry. Nonetheless, the truth has been way more complicated. Hamilton has struggled to adapt, not solely to a brand new crew but additionally to a technology of F1 equipment that has persistently challenged him for the reason that introduction of ground-effect laws in 2022.
The British driver had endured a winless spell at Mercedes throughout this regulatory period, a streak that was lastly damaged on the 2024 British Grand Prix. But, regardless of that late breakthrough, he departed the Silver Arrows after a disappointing season that marked his lowest championship end in System 1. His resolution to affix Ferrari was seen as a contemporary begin—an opportunity to rejuvenate his profession at age 40—however early leads to 2025 recommend that resurgence could take longer than anticipated.
Whereas Lewis Hamilton provided glimpses of his trademark brilliance—most notably with a Dash race win in Shanghai—his total efficiency has lacked consistency. At present sitting sixth within the drivers’ standings, he trails teammate Charles Leclerc by 23 factors, underlining the challenges he faces in getting totally on top of things within the SF-25.
Ferrari’s technical updates, mixed with regulatory efforts by the FIA to shut the efficiency hole amongst groups, have carried out little to alleviate Lewis Hamilton’s struggles. The Scuderia allotted a good portion of their growth sources towards adapting to the FIA’s clampdown on versatile entrance wings. Satirically, the redesigned part made Hamilton’s automobile a tenth of a second slower on common, elevating additional doubts concerning the efficacy of the improve technique.
Regardless of these setbacks, Ferrari has overtaken Mercedes within the Constructors’ Championship standings, claiming second place after the Spanish Grand Prix. This shift in fortunes between the 2 powerhouse groups has naturally led to comparisons—not solely between Ferrari and Mercedes—but additionally between Lewis Hamilton and his successor at Mercedes, teenage prodigy Kimi Antonelli.
Toto Wolff Pushes Again on Hamilton vs. Antonelli Comparisons
Kimi Antonelli entered System 1 below immense stress, stepping right into a seat as soon as occupied by one of many sport’s best legends. At simply 18 years previous, Antonelli grew to become the third-youngest driver in F1 historical past and was tasked with carrying ahead the Mercedes legacy in a interval of transition.
Very like Hamilton at Ferrari, Kimi Antonelli has proven flashes of brilliance in his debut season. His drive from sixteenth to 4th in Melbourne was hailed as a masterclass in racecraft, and his pole place for the Dash race in Miami additional underscored his uncooked expertise. Nonetheless, consistency has confirmed elusive. The European triple-header proved notably difficult for the Italian, who suffered two mechanical DNFs and failed to attain factors throughout all three occasions. Based on sources near the crew, these setbacks have taken a toll on Kimi Antonelli’s confidence, although he stays decided to rebound because the season progresses.
Apparently, Kimi Antonelli will not be centered on being seen as Lewis Hamilton’s substitute. Internally at Mercedes, the narrative is evident: the younger driver is forging his personal id inside the crew. Group principal Toto Wolff has publicly acknowledged that comparisons between the 2 are untimely and unfair. In an interview with TSN, Wolff defined that each drivers are present process vital transitions, and it will be inappropriate to measure them towards each other at this early stage.
Wolff famous that Hamilton remains to be adapting to his new surroundings and that, regardless of the challenges, he has already delivered spectacular performances, citing the Chinese language Grand Prix as one such instance. The Mercedes boss additionally emphasised that Kimi Antonelli, nonetheless simply 18, has an extended profession forward and must be evaluated primarily based on his particular person progress quite than within the shadow of Hamilton’s legacy.
Public and Pundit Opinions Differ on the Hamilton–Antonelli Debate
As anticipated, Kimi Antonelli’s appointment as Hamilton’s successor has sparked widespread commentary, each within the paddock and amongst followers. With each drivers navigating unfamiliar environment, comparisons have turn into inevitable. Statistically, Hamilton holds the benefit for now with 71 factors to Antonelli’s 48, however many observers see substantial promise within the Mercedes rookie.
Former racing driver and analyst Justin Bell lately remarked that Kimi Antonelli is perhaps dealing with the stress higher than Lewis Hamilton. After attending the Miami Grand Prix, Bell noticed that whereas Hamilton might typically be heard voicing frustration over the crew radio, Antonelli maintained a composed and centered demeanor all through the weekend.
In an encouraging signal of mentorship, Hamilton has been providing steerage to Antonelli throughout the rookie’s first F1 season. This dynamic has been appreciated inside Mercedes, with seasoned F1 commentator Martin Brundle praising Antonelli’s technical suggestions throughout radio exchanges with race engineer Peter Bonnington. Based on Martin Brundle, the Italian’s communication expertise have allowed for a clean and spectacular transition into the highest tier of motorsport.
As each the Briton and the Italian proceed their respective journeys with Ferrari and Mercedes, the 2025 season stays a narrative of adjustment, expectation, and evolving potential. Whereas one driver seeks a last shot at glory and the opposite begins to carve out his legacy, the F1 world watches carefully—maybe too carefully—with comparisons which may be untimely however are undeniably charming.
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