As Lewis Hamilton prepares for a major change in his Formula One career, moving from Mercedes to Ferrari, the motorsport world is abuzz with speculation and anticipation. However, Jean Todt, a veteran figure in F1 and former Ferrari team boss, has expressed his reservations about Hamilton’s immediate success with the Scuderia.

In an interview with Sport Bild, Todt was sceptical about Hamilton’s chances of winning the title in his first season with Ferrari. “Other teams, such as Red Bull, have a better chance of winning the world championship at the moment,” said Todt, reflecting on the current competitive landscape in Formula One.

Acknowledging that Ferrari has made significant progress since his tenure began in 1993, he said, “Although Ferrari is generally better than it was in my time. When I started, we had to completely restructure the racing team. On a scale of one to ten, Ferrari was a five. Now it’s much better. With Lewis, the team will be a nine out of ten.”

 

 

 

The quest for perfection

Todt’s main concern is whether a “nine out of ten” is enough to achieve the marginal gains required for championship success.

“For a world championship title, everything has to be perfect,” he stressed. That perfection, according to Todt, is crucial to securing those crucial tenths of a second that can make or break a title campaign.

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Hamilton dismisses claims of regret as tensions mount

Following Mercedes’ recent victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was unequivocal when asked if he regretted his decision to sign for Ferrari for the 2025 season.

“No, not at all,” he replied firmly, putting to rest any notion that he was having second thoughts about his future with the iconic Italian team. His response came amid a shift in the competitive landscape of Formula One, where Mercedes appear to be gaining momentum.

Adding a further layer of complexity to Hamilton’s move, Paddy Lowe has now warned Ferrari of the “tension” that “everyone” at Maranello will feel if Lewis Hamilton joins from Mercedes for the 2025 season. The Scuderia are eagerly awaiting the 39-year-old’s arrival in Italy after luring Hamilton away from Mercedes.

He agreed a multi-year deal with Ferrari in February and will replace Carlos Sainz in red. The move also marks the end of F1’s most successful driver-team pairing of all time.

Hamilton has been with Mercedes since 2013 and has won six of his seven drivers’ titles, including two with Lowe at the team. With Mercedes, Hamilton has claimed 78 of his F1 record 104 pole positions, 150 of his 199 podium finishes and 83 of his record 104 Grand Prix victories. The Stevenage-born star’s most recent victory came at Silverstone when Hamilton won the British Grand Prix.

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Ferrari struggling against Mercedes resurgence

Ferrari’s performances have been lacklustre in recent races. The team suffered a double zero in Canada and failed to finish on the podium in Spain, while Mercedes driver George Russell took pole and third in Montreal. Hamilton himself finished on the podium in Barcelona, suggesting a resurgence for the Silver Arrows.

Despite Ferrari’s struggles, Hamilton was optimistic about their progress.

“I can’t say what’s wrong with their car and why they’re in the position they’re in today. But they’ve brought an upgrade here and I think they’re definitely making progress,” he commented.

He remained steadfast in his belief in Ferrari’s potential, citing their victory in Monaco as proof of their ability.

In subsequent races, however, Mercedes have consistently outperformed Ferrari, scoring 125 points to Ferrari’s 50 in the last four races.

 

 

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Pressure and tension in Maranello

While Hamilton’s confidence in Ferrari remains unshaken, Paddy Lowe’s insights suggest that the transition may not be without its challenges. Lowe, who has worked closely with Hamilton at both McLaren and Mercedes, predicts that there will be considerable tension when Hamilton arrives in Maranello.

“When you have a driver of Lewis’ calibre, an outstanding driver in every sense of the word, coming to work and driving your car – and I say this because of the effect Nigel [Mansell] had at Williams – it gives a psychological boost to the team,” said Lowe.

However, that boost comes with added pressure. Lowe explained: “Lewis, we can’t deny it, is a phenomenon. On the one hand you go: ‘Wow, he’s someone who’s going to maximise my work [and] he’s going to put the neck of the car on the line. That’s as fast as it’s going to be’,

“And on the other hand, everybody feels this tension of ‘I have to deliver on this challenge, on this opportunity’. People pull their fingers out when they understand that they’re going to have one of the greatest drivers of all time in their car. I think these things work in synergy.”

If Hamilton were to add to the “tension” in Maranello, it would only add to the immense pressure that those who work for Ferrari in F1 already have to deal with on a daily basis. The Scuderia is the pride of Italy and carries the weight of a nation on its shoulders. It is also 16 years since their last title.

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Still fully committed to Mercedes

Naturally, questions arose as to whether Hamilton had chosen the wrong path. But Hamilton remained focused on his current role with Mercedes.

“Next year I will start with the other team, which I think is doing a good job,” he insisted. His commitment to Mercedes was unwavering, reflecting his long association with the team since the age of 13.

Hamilton expressed his continued commitment: “I love Mercedes. I’ve been with Mercedes since I was 13 and I will always be a fan and supporter of Mercedes. And my job this year is to work as hard as I can with the crew I have and the people at the factory to develop the car in the right direction.”

Despite his impending departure, Hamilton has continued to play an integral role in the development of the current Mercedes car.

He said: “I have not been excluded from any meetings and we are still working on this car and trying to get it to the top.”

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The stakes and the potential

The true impact of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will become clearer after the current season. Paddy Lowe’s concerns about the tension Hamilton could bring to Maranello highlight the immense pressure Ferrari are under to perform. Lowe noted that while Hamilton’s presence could be a psychological boost, it also raises the stakes for everyone involved, from the mechanics to the designers.

Ferrari last topped the team standings in 2008, when Hamilton also denied them the Drivers’ title while at McLaren. Felipe Massa missed out on the Drivers’ title by just one point as he tried to follow in the footsteps of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who won it in 2007. Had it not been for a gearbox problem at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton could have also denied Raikkonen and Ferrari the 2007 Drivers’ title as a rookie.

Now, alongside Charles Leclerc, he will carry their title hopes forward next year and into the 2026 Formula One rule changes.

Whether Hamilton’s move is a step forward or a setback for the record world champion remains to be seen. It could well be that victory at Silverstone will be his last. For now, Hamilton’s focus is on ending his tenure with Mercedes on a high note, contributing to the team’s success and preparing for the next chapter in his illustrious career with Ferrari.

The excitement and anticipation surrounding his move is palpable, setting the stage for a potentially transformative period for both Hamilton and Ferrari.

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