Lewis Hamilton is set to embark on his inaugural season with Ferrari this weekend. Following an exceptionally successful stint with Mercedes, the celebrated champion has chosen to take on a new challenge with the Scuderia. Several Formula 1 greats have preceded him; Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, and Sebastian Vettel were all multiple-time champions before they tried their hand at Ferrari. The latter explains what the biggest challenge for Hamilton will be.
After a strong end to the 2024 season, Ferrari is expected to contend for both titles in the new Formula 1 season. The team hasn’t won a constructors’ championship since 2008, while Kimi Räikkönen in 2007 was the – so far – last Ferrari driver to clinch the world title. It’s up to Lewis Hamilton, who is chasing his coveted eighth world title, to bring the championship back to Maranello. However, former Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel warns Hamilton of the challenges that lie ahead.
“It’s a big step,” Vettel declared to Wide World of Sports. “It’s always a significant change when you switch teams. It means you have to work with a completely new group of people. Moreover, there’s a different culture at Ferrari. Most teams are clearly English, only two are Italian. That’s probably the biggest challenge,” he explained.
Michael Schumacher’s Legacy
After securing four championships with Red Bull, the German driver made the decision to join Scuderia in 2015. His aspiration was to emulate his idol, Michael Schumacher, by clinching a world title with Ferrari. He came closest to achieving this goal in 2017 and 2018, but on both occasions, he was pipped to the championship by Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.
Vettel emphasizes that driving for Ferrari always holds a special allure, regardless of whether Hamilton shared the same childhood hero or not. “I grew up with Michael (Schumacher),” he proudly shared. “He was my hero and he mostly drove in red, so that made it feel different for me. I’m not certain if Hamilton had the same dream, but I believe it’s special for anyone to get the opportunity to step into the red car,” he concluded.
