Lewis Hamilton confident in Ferrari's Championship potential ahead of 2025 F1 season

Lewis Hamilton took to the track in his Ferrari for the first time on Wednesday, expressing confidence that the team has everything needed to win the championship. The seven-time world champion, who is aiming for a record-breaking eighth title, said he is more hopeful than ever about achieving that goal.

Speaking to reporters via video call from Maranello, Hamilton admitted he is still adjusting to his new environment but made it clear that Ferrari is fully prepared for the challenge ahead. When asked if the team was ready to fight for the title, he responded with a firm "yes."

"I've worked with two world championship-winning teams before. I know what a winning team looks and feels like," said Hamilton, who secured his first title with McLaren in 2008 before dominating with Mercedes. "The passion here is like nothing you've ever seen. They've got absolutely every ingredient they need to win a world championship. It's just about putting all the pieces together."

Hamilton also praised Ferrari’s leadership, highlighting team principal Fred Vasseur, chairman John Elkann, and CEO Benedetto Vigna as key figures driving the team’s ambition. "Everyone just has a really calm and good approach," he added.

Ferrari has not won a championship since claiming the constructors’ title in 2008, with its last drivers’ champion being Kimi Räikkönen in 2007—the same year Hamilton made his stunning F1 debut. The Italian squad finished as runners-up last season behind McLaren, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen remains the favorite to extend his dominant run and secure a fifth consecutive title.

When asked again whether he was optimistic about securing an eighth championship, Hamilton simply reiterated, "Yes." He acknowledged that competition will be fierce but expressed enthusiasm about partnering with teammate Charles Leclerc. "It's going to be close at the top, but I've got a great team-mate," he said. "The energy that I'm receiving from the team, there's magic here. It's going to still take a lot of hard work and grafting from absolutely everyone, and everyone's putting that in already to achieve it, but it's also about belief. Everyone here dreams of winning with Ferrari, every single person in this team."

Hamilton also dismissed any speculation about retirement, making it clear that winning another title would not mark the end of his career. "If I was fortunate enough to win another title, which is obviously what we're setting out to do, I don't see myself stopping," he said.

Leclerc, speaking separately, supported the belief that Hamilton’s arrival has provided Ferrari with a crucial boost. "I think Lewis is coming into the team at the right time," he said. "The fact that Lewis has joined the team has been a big boost and has been amazing in so many ways. I feel like the team is very, very calm and very clear in what is the direction to work in and not getting too affected by everything that is going around the team, and that is extremely important."

Vasseur echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Hamilton has brought fresh energy to the squad. With the season set to begin in Australia on March 16, Ferrari appears ready to launch a serious championship challenge in 2025.

SportsLigue